Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed the request to appeal the proposal to sever service connection for right knee strain. The claims of entitlement to service connection for right ankle strain and right hip strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as claims for other conditions, were granted. However, the effective date is set at September 13, 2022, and no higher rating or additional benefits are awarded.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, right ankle, left ankle, and left foot on a presumptive basis due to continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed conditions.

Your claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition has been fully granted, effective from June 27, 2023.

The Veteran's PTSD, left foot fracture, and left ankle sprain have been granted increased ratings. Service connection has also been established for cervical strain and secondary service connection for plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the previously denied GERD and low back disability claims, but granted a higher rating of 10% for right knee PFPS from July 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examination regarding his back condition, right shoulder condition, right ankle condition, migraine headaches, and urinary frequency. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU is granted, but his special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is denied due to the presence of additional service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right ankle fracture residuals with osteoarthritis was denied. A compensable rating (10%) was granted for the service-connected right ankle fracture surgical scar residuals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any neurological disorders and whether service connection can be established for these conditions. The VA examiners have provided opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities and his claimed neurological conditions, but further clarification is required.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability has rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from December 19, 2011 to February 22, 2018. She is also entitled to SMC on a schedular housebound basis during this period.

The Board has denied service connection for a right elbow disability and a right ankle disability, finding no current disabilities. The lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy increased rating claims are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as the disabilities were not shown to have increased in severity within one year prior to his intent to file a claim, and no new evidence was submitted that would warrant an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine if any of his claimed disabilities are related to service. The issues include neck, low back, hip, knee, ankle, foot, joint pain, sleep condition, lung, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue is denied as there is no current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic fatigue. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for esophagus, stricture of, and polyps (claimed as intestinal polyps, painful swallowing, GERD).,The Veteran's TMD claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claims for scars are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's IBS and cholecystectomy claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's Hashimoto's thyroid disorder, hypothyroidism, Graves' disease claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's stress incontinence claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's cervical strain claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's back pain claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's left side sciatica, right side sciatica, right hand condition, left foot pain, and right foot pain claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,A 70 percent rating, but not higher, was granted for PTSD. The Veteran's occupational and social impairment due to PTSD is considered most severe at this level.,An initial 40 percent rating, but not higher, was granted for prostate cancer. The Veteran requires absorbent materials that must be changed four times per day due to urinary incontinence.,The Board found insufficient evidence to support service connection for a heart disability on either direct or secondary aggravation basis and remanded the issue.,The Board also found insufficient evidence to support service connection for a right knee disability on either direct or secondary aggravation basis and remanded the issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle ankylosis and instability have been denied. The 10 percent rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis status post fracture remains unchanged, while the 30 percent rating for right ankle instability has been reduced.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services due to his disabilities, and remands for an evaluation on whether participation in the PCAFC program would be in his best interest.