Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for L4-L5 space narrowing degenerative arthritis prior to January 14, 2025, and denied higher ratings for the other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right foot and ankle disabilities, as they are already rated at the maximum schedular evaluation available under the amputation rule.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a skin disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to procedural defects. The appeal for service connection for a recurrent sleep disability was denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for right ankle disability, lower right extremity neuropathy, and residual right ankle scar.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle arthritis, post-traumatic, chronic sinusitis, and somatic symptom disorder secondary to a service-connected disability. A 30 percent rating was also granted for the service-connected left rotator cuff strain.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for post traumatic residual pain and chronic or recurrent ankle strain to secure a new examination that complies with the requirements outlined in Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017).

The Board dismissed all claims for higher initial ratings and service connection, as the Veteran requested a higher-level review of these issues in May 2024 but then appealed to the Board in August 2024, leading to concurrent review which is not allowed.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including high cholesterol, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as a compensable rating for acne vulgaris and migraine.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD and service connection for IBS, while remanding the claims for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine muscular strain and service connection for left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, a respiratory disability, a low back disability, and a cervical spine disability, as well as higher ratings for the left knee and right ankle disabilities, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's pes planus with plantar fasciitis and remanded claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and left hip conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for tinnitus, left ankle degenerative joint disease, and surgical scars, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection for right ankle strain with degenerative joint disease, right Charcot foot, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied an evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 10, 2020 and dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine with cervical osteophytes, and right ankle peroneal tendonitis were remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of May 20, 2021, for the award of service connection for left ankle tendonitis and a separate rating for left ankle instability. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle tendonitis was remanded.

The Board granted restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, effective May 11, 2021, and granted increased ratings for persistent depressive disorder and migraine headaches.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a mood disorder, uncomplicated bereavement, right ankle disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis to schedule VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, a residual scar on the left ankle, and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as secondary conditions including sciatica and major depressive disorder. The decision also denied service connection for left and right hip arthritis.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 26, 2011, to November 23, 2014.