Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, left ankle disability (as secondary to the right ankle), right hip disability (secondary to lumbar strain and bilateral ankle disabilities), left hip disability (secondary to lumbar strain and bilateral ankle disabilities), right knee disability (secondary to bilateral ankle disabilities), and left knee disability (secondary to bilateral ankle disabilities).,The Board has also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disabilities began during active service and are related to injuries sustained there, granting his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted, but his bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left foot pes cavus, and right foot pes cavus as there is no credible medical evidence establishing a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea, and the Veteran's claimed sleep disturbances are considered symptoms of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability and now service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, sinus condition, and migraines (claimed as headaches) are granted service connection. The Veteran's right lower extremity shin splints, left lower extremity shin splints, residuals of a right ankle condition, gastritis, and left foot injury are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 7, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is being remanded due to the need to provide notice of his right to a hearing before VA.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to April 2, 2022, effective October 12, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment since at least October 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for vertigo, chronic fatigue syndrome, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability require additional examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to September 2, 2021 for entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The Veteran's unemployment was not due to service-connected disabilities as of the time of the November 2013 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate previous examinations and for an addendum opinion regarding bilateral dry eye syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, finding that VA did not obtain an adequate nexus opinion prior to adjudication of the claims. The AOJ is required to secure a medical opinion addressing all theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left ankle pain, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hip pain due to potential errors in decision-making.

The Veteran's left ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is reasonably shown to have caused wear and tear to his clothing in 2023, leading to a grant of an annual VA clothing allowance.,The Veteran's shoe orthotics are not shown to have caused wear and tear to his clothing during 2023. Therefore, the claim for this item was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral heel condition and left ankle condition due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's existing records have been reviewed, but no additional relevant evidence was provided.

The Board has found errors in the decision and has ordered additional examinations to determine if the Veteran's ankle conditions and left foot stress fractures are related to his service. The claims for right foot/toes numbness, right heel spur, and left foot stress fractures remain pending.

The Veteran's ankle disability has not manifested to marked limited motion of the ankle, and therefore, his service-connected left ankle condition does not warrant a higher rating under the diagnostic criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.