Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and right ankle sprain, restored a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine effective May 7, 2021, and denied earlier effective dates and increased ratings for other conditions.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left shoulder and right ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle osteoarthritis with tendinitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome, right ankle osteoarthritis, and an effective date of December 16, 2015, but no earlier, for the increased rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with calluses.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance due to a lack of documentation regarding efforts made to contact the RO in Los Angeles, California, for records that might corroborate the Veteran's claim.

The Board remands the claim for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to clarify functional loss during flare-ups and the ameliorative effects of medication use.

The Board granted service connection for signs or symptoms of the respiratory system, to include upper respiratory infection, and a right ankle disability on a secondary basis.

The Board remands the issues for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of the disabilities.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and an effective date prior to February 24, 2020, for DEA benefits were dismissed. The Veteran was granted service connection for psoriatic arthritis affecting various parts of the body with an effective date of February 24, 2020. Several claims for increased ratings for psoriatic arthritis and a TDIU due to a single-service connected disability were remanded.

The appeal for service connection for a skin disability was dismissed, and the claim for a left leg/ankle disability will be readjudicated based on new evidence. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands all claims for the RO to correct pre-decision duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for the right foot condition and denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine condition, while remanding the claim for a right ankle injury.

The Board granted service connection for left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition. The claims for higher initial evaluations and additional service connection were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome, due to a need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board remands the claims for additional VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions due to a lack of evidence and the unavailability of the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for GERD, a right knee disability, a right wrist disability, a right ankle disability, gastritis, and vertigo. It denied service connection for hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, right and left ankle conditions, and irritable bowel syndrome were granted with increased ratings effective March 29, 2020.

The appeal for service connection for right and left ankle disorders was dismissed due to a claims processing error.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service right ankle sprain.