Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability. The claim will be reconsidered with the provision of such an opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence having been submitted, including his in-service experiences and current symptoms.

The Veteran's SMC on account of being housebound is granted as of August 26, 2019. The decision is based on his service-connected disabilities and the requirement for a single disability rated at 100% disabling.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left ankle strain due to a duty to assist error in the prior decision. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities, specifically considering the in-service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) secondary to Right Ankle Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) with Sinus Tarsi, as the evidence shows that the Veteran's right ankle DJD caused weight gain leading to obesity and OSA.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to the assigned effective dates have been denied as there is no legal basis to award an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claim for limitation of extension of the left knee has also been denied, with the earliest possible effective date being July 7, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claimed disabilities being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including left knee, TBI residuals, right ankle and foot disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of any current disability related to his military service.,Service connection has also been denied for other conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea and voiding dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ankle strain and left knee meniscus injury due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spur syndrome and degenerative changes to right first metatarsal head, degenerative joint disease with torn medial meniscus, right knee, and right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to April 16, 2023. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance was also established.

The Veteran's appeals for Dependents' Educational Assistance and service connection were dismissed due to untimely filings.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, GERD, ankle sprains, knee sprains, and hearing loss, were also dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for PTSD or any other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection is denied. The Board also found remand necessary for further examination of the left knee condition, OSA, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all listed conditions was dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin condition, gonorrhea and any residuals, right and left ankle disabilities, mesothelioma (shortness of breath), and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various lower extremity disabilities, including right knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate duty to assist regarding National Guard service records and a need for further medical opinion on the etiology of the right ankle disability.