Ankle decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU. The issue of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was withdrawn by the appellant.

The appeal of depression, anxiety, and distress is dismissed as the Veteran's PTSD encompassing these symptoms was granted. The respiratory disability (asthma) claim is granted. Tinnitus and lumbar spine and ankle disabilities are also granted. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right ankle disability was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination, and the Board found no good cause for his absence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot flat foot is denied as there were no pending claims prior to his March 10, 2022 ITF. The mood disorder rating is granted at 50%. The left ankle disability rating remains at 10%.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of more than a moderate limitation of motion.,The Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's right shoulder and knee disabilities are not related to service.,The Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence for left ankle surgery beyond July 1, 2019, as there were no severe postoperative residuals after this date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, and right ankle disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's dizziness is granted as due to an undiagnosed illness, while his left ankle condition and skin condition are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee strains, residuals of a left ankle concussion, and bilateral pes cavus are found to be related to his obstructive sleep apnea. His claim for restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, leg, and tibia fracture disabilities are not service-connected as they did not onset during active duty or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not have an employment handicap and was found to be employable with her current skills, experience, and education. The appeal must be denied.

The Veteran's annual clothing allowance for a foot and ankle brace in the 2022 calendar year was denied because the evidence did not show that any such brace tended to wear out or tear his clothing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a left ankle disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Meniere's syndrome, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to provide VA examinations. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred these disabilities during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left wrist fracture, bilateral hearing loss, Type II diabetes, bilateral glaucoma, OSA, cervical disc herniation, and other musculoskeletal issues are denied.,Service connection is not established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.,The Board has not assigned a specific rating or effective date as the claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, dizziness, scratchy throat, and shortness of breath have been dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, prostate cancer, dry eye syndrome, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, anxiety with situational type phobia, left hip strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbar strain are granted effective March 3, 2022.,An earlier effective date of March 3, 2022, is assigned for the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and denied claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left breast scars, hyperlipidemia/high cholesterol, bilateral hip disorders, and left ankle disorder.