Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in determining the severity of the Veteran's right ankle disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar back strain, cervical spine disability, bilateral pes planus, left ankle and knee disabilities, tinnitus, and hearing loss are rated accordingly. The effective date for the grant of service connection is denied prior to December 29, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) claims have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examinations in prior rating decisions.,No specific conditions were granted or denied as they are pending further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle collateral ligament sprain, left shoulder bursitis, right hip bursitis, and right knee arthritis are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate opinions in the previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, both secondary to service-connected pes planus. Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea as it is not related to service or caused by service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis is granted a 60 percent rating. Service connection for HPV, bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, broken right ring finger, left hip, right hip, and right ankle disabilities are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal for individual unemployability (TDIU) and service connection for sinusitis and abdominal pain, residuals, removal of colon, severe constipation were dismissed due to duty to assist errors found in the August 2021 rating decision.,Residuals of a menstrual disorder, to include status post hysterectomy; residuals, removal of gallbladder; GERD with acid reflux disease and epigastric pain; lumbar spine condition; radiculopathy, right lower extremity; radiculopathy, left lower extremity; dry eye syndrome; left knee pain; right shoulder pain; left shoulder pain; and right ankle condition were all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist, and he is recharacterized as having symptoms related to environmental exposures in Southwest Asia. The Board finds that an examination is required given the indication of a possible relationship between his symptoms and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and right foot arthritis.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of hammer toes in the left foot, a scar in the left foot, and a right hip impairment of the thigh are not earlier than March 24, 2022.,Service connection for a scar in the right ankle is granted with an effective date of May 16, 2012.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate authorized under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m)(1/2) based on his service-connected disabilities, including Porphyria cutanea tarda with chronic urticaria and non-thrombocytopenia purpura (60% rating), Insomnia Disorder Associated with Tinnitus (50% rating), and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) with erectile dysfunction; back, gout associated with DM; left ankle gout, associated with DM; and right ankle gout, associated with DM (50% rating).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, vertigo, sinusitis, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, coronary artery disease, plantar fasciitis, hypertension, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis have been granted. However, the claims for service connection for vertigo as secondary to tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's right ankle painful scars were improperly reduced from 40% to 30%, and the rating is now reinstated at 40%. The TDIU claim is moot as of January 12, 2022. A new increased rating for right ankle fracture residuals was granted.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection of left knee, right knee, and right ankle conditions.

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 PTSD, right ankle disability, and right ankle scars, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a duty to assist error. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, right ankle disability, sleep apnea (secondary to depression), and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis and a right ankle disability due to insufficient medical evidence on record. The Veteran's STRs show complaints of nasal congestion and treatment for a right ankle injury, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, status post right eyebrow laceration scar, headaches, and left ankle deltoid ligament sprain. The Veteran's mental health issues were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disorders. The Veteran's traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disorder, right hand disorder, hypertension, bronchiectasis, and hypoxia are all remanded.,The effective date of the increased rating to 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is March 23, 2017.