Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, a bilateral ankle condition, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the thoracolumbar spine disability and right ankle disability, granted service connection for an acquired mental disorder as due to a service-connected disability, and dismissed the claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for right great toe posttraumatic arthritis and remanded the claims for left great toe disability and right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and dismissed appeals for initial disability ratings, with the exception of remanding certain claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, an upper respiratory condition (including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), residuals of mandible surgery, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for sinusitis and remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle sprain and an initial compensable rating for ulcerative colitis.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left and right ankle sprain, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 23, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was not supported by the evidence.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle condition, diagnosed as lateral collateral ligament sprain, based on new and relevant evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and left ear hearing loss, while dismissing the appeals for atopic dermatitis with folliculitis, migraine headaches, right ear hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of both ankles, and left hip coxa saltans.

The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches and an initial evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), while denying service connection for dermatitis, tremors of the right hand, and other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a disorder manifest by fainting and denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right ankle disabilities.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for a bilateral ankle and foot disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant reconsideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(c) and that an earlier effective date was otherwise not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, right knee disorder, tinnitus, and others, as the evidence did not support a finding of chronicity or etiology related to military service.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted pursuant to the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act). Other claims are remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left ankle disability prior to May 5, 2023, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure due process is followed.

The Board granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, left shoulder strain, and cervical strain, all related to excessive strain placed upon the Veteran's joints during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of record to support a direct link between the current condition and active service or any in-service injury.

The Board granted ratings for the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, meniscectomy with residuals, instability, genu recurvatum, and limitation of extension, but denied a rating in excess of 100 percent for his left knee total knee arthroplasty and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The appeal for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for the left ankle condition was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.