Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for polycystic ovary syndrome and left ankle strain due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, low back, neck disorders and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the claimed conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle disabilities to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for right and left lower extremity cold weather injuries, a bilateral foot disability, and right and left ankle disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral ankle/foot/great toe gout as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, finding that the Veteran's gout was proximately caused by prescription treatment associated with his hypertension.

The appeal for service connection for right ankle pain is dismissed as moot, while the appeals for service connection for right and left lower extremity thoracic radiculopathy are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including renal failure, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, blackout spells, swelling of the eyelids, diminished eyesight, sleep deprivation, and bladder incontinence. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle tendonitis associated with residual scar.

The Board granted service connection for right foot residuals of hallux valgus, status post-surgery and a rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder from December 7, 2022. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's passing during its pendency.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, finding that it approximates marked limitation of motion throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected right ankle disability and a compensable rating for his service-connected right ankle scars.

The Board granted service connection for plantar fasciitis on the right and left foot, left and right ankle strain, left and right knee osteoarthritis, and left and right hip strain, all secondary to service-connected back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities with weight gain/obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and remanded the claims for bilateral ankle, knee, hip, headache, and lower back conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, a bilateral wrist disability, a bilateral hip disability, facial scars, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle sprain.

The appeals for earlier effective dates for the specified conditions were dismissed due to untimely filing of the VA Form 10182.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, left shin splints, right shin splints, a right ankle disability, and a right foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and gout affecting the bilateral ankles, elbows, and right hand as there was no evidence of these conditions in or since service, and they were not shown to be related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board granted service connection for chronic dizziness or vertigo, but remanded the claims for a left shoulder condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral hip and pelvis conditions, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral leg condition.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus (flat feet), bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, and lower back condition as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the disabilities were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and left knee conditions due to a need for additional evidence through VA examinations.