Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle disability, finding that his current diagnoses and reported symptoms are consistent with in-service injuries. The decision is based on credible lay evidence of chronic ankle problems since service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as left and right hip disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches/migraines, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back condition, a right knee condition, a left knee condition, and bilateral pes planus due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The other issues have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nerve disability and an initial rating for post traumatic arthritis of the right ankle. The AOJ is required to provide notice about his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.10.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability, folliculitis barbae, migraines, and tinnitus are all found to be related to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 26, 2023 for the award of a TDIU and DEA. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU since that date.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2020 was denied because shoes, which are not classified as articles of clothing by VA, were used due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the use of open-back shoes did not qualify under the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.810(a).

The Veteran's tinnitus prior to August 14, 2024 is granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 14, 2018 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.,Service connection for left shoulder disability was granted on May 14, 2019 with a rating of 100% from November 2, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ankle fusion surgery and left hip strain due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The left ankle disorder claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and right knee instability are denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and a right ankle condition due to their relationship with his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The appeals for effective date prior to April 4, 2017 for TDIU and higher extraschedular ratings for left foot pes planus and left ankle injury residuals are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for back, left ankle, right ankle, and left hip disabilities. The appeal for service connection of the right knee disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right hand disability, back disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,Service connection is denied for left hand disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bilateral hearing loss, and a left ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his lower back disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, a right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disabilities (including plantar fasciitis) due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors concerning potentially relevant outstanding records from Dr. W (a podiatrist) and Dr. VD (an orthopedist).

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the previously denied service connection claims for anxiety, depression, back condition, left ankle condition, and left knee condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for right ankle disability and tinnitus, and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.