Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for a right ankle disorder and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) to obtain additional evidence, including service treatment records, private medical records, and VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right elbow condition, left elbow condition, right foot condition, left foot condition, and right trigger finger. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and lung condition were remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left knee strain with shin splints, right knee strain with patellofemoral pain and shin splints, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for the right ankle prior to February 21, 2018, and a separate 30 percent rating from that date. The claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right foot was remanded.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left hip disorders, characterized as both limitation of flexion and extension, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle sprain with arthritis, right foot disorder (plantar fasciitis with hammer toes, arthritis, and plantar calcaneal spur), and right knee disorder (arthritis) based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, right ankle condition, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for both the left and right ankle disabilities, as the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated marked limitation of motion.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including right and left shoulder strains with degenerative arthritis, right and left hip degenerative arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis with chronic instability and anterior talofibular ligament strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea, all of which are secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chest tightness with shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis (claimed as congestion), and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine. However, a 10 percent rating was granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle pain, as the symptoms are already compensated by a 40 percent disability rating for fibromyalgia.

The Board granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hallux valgus.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea, as there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury. The claims for hypertension, bilateral ankle disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, right index finger disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle posttraumatic residual pain, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle and left foot disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to cure errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle and left foot disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are presumptively related to his exposure during service in Southwest Asia.