Ankle decisions — 2025

The Board denied a compensable rating for residuals of TBI and remanded several service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection, except for a 10 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and a 20 percent rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome.

The Board remands all claims for new VA medical opinions in accordance with the holding in Spicer v. McDonough, which addresses the correct legal standards for secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service. The claims for psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left eye disability, right eye disability, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to in-service events.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and denied increased ratings for existing disabilities, as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in severity.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for right ankle disability and service connection for bilateral foot disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right ankle disability, effective December 21, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle collateral lateral ligament sprain and right knee degenerative arthritis, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for service connection for a neck disability, back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a need for additional medical evidence regarding the qualifications of examiners and the effects of pain medication on the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for post-traumatic residual pain and dysfunction of the right shoulder and right ankle to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's application to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and right knee condition as new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right ankles and PTSD to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation from May 5, 2019.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 8, 2020, for the award of service connection for fibromyalgia and granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in various joints.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, right ankle condition, right thumb condition, bilateral elbow condition, and psychiatric disorder (cannabis use disorder, depression, anxiety) as the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease and a nexus to the Veteran's active service.

The Board remands the claim for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for a right ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the condition.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle sprain but denied service connection for left inguinal hernia repair, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, lateral & medial epicondylitis of right elbow, and seborrheic dermatitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right tibia fracture residual condition and right ankle condition, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.