Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a neck condition, radiculopathy in both upper extremities, and a left ankle disability. The Veteran was also granted an initial 30 percent rating for right knee limitation of flexion but denied a higher rating for the same condition.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle pain, upper and lower extremity nerve impairments, and a compensable rating for service-connected headaches.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no current disability of hearing loss. The claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, a bilateral foot condition (hallux rigidus), and bilateral plantar fasciitis were remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of lumbosacral strain status post-surgery, back scar associated with lumbosacral strain status post-surgery, right ankle strain, and medial compartment narrowing of the left knee, but denied increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disability, obstructive sleep apnea secondary to allergic rhinitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. A 70 percent rating was also granted for major depressive disorder.

The appeal for service connection for depression was granted, while the claims for service connection for various other disabilities were denied.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the left ankle arthritis with pain, and an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the depressive disorder with PTSD. The claims for service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity neurological disability, and left lower extremity neurological disability were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for aneurysm of the ascending aorta, low back disability, and right ankle disability to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for chronic lumbar radiculopathy, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection was denied for allergic rhinitis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left wrist disability was also denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and a left ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions that failed to address the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition and a right ankle condition, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle conditions are not related to his in-service injuries.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to ensure that all necessary development is completed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right ankle, left knee, and right knee conditions to ensure an adequate examination is provided.

The Board granted service connection for a right thumb scar status post laceration and readjudicated the claims of entitlement to service connection for various disorders, finding new and relevant evidence in some cases.

The Board denied increased ratings for hypertension, tinnitus, and a left ankle condition. The claims for service connection for headaches, sleep condition, and diabetes mellitus were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is granted an initial rating of 50 percent, and some claims for service connection are denied while others are remanded.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed, and the appeals for service connection for various conditions were denied. Several claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition due to the lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, bronchitis, and joint and muscle pain were remanded for further development.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and a higher rating for chronic sinusitis, as well as remanded an increased rating claim for right ankle strain.