Ankle decisions — 2026

The Veteran's right ankle, right hand (osteoarthritis and ulnar neuropathy), and left hand disabilities were denied service connection. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, including sinus tarsi syndrome and left ankle sprain, began in service and has continued since then. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional information and clarification regarding her employment status and disability impact.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, finding that there was no VA treatment or referral shown and concluding that the claim must be denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 50% for right knee limitation of extension from September 1, 2023 to June 24, 2024. Other issues related to instability and locking have also been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to his inability to use both upper or lower extremities, blindness in both eyes, or full thickness burns. The Board finds that his Hodgkin's lymphoma does not cause loss of use of any extremity.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been granted a 20 percent disability rating each, effective January 13, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, left hand strain, and left ankle strain due to incomplete development of the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only due to his remaining functional use of his feet.

The Veteran's service-connected HIV and related conditions have resulted in the effective loss of use of his left foot, meeting the criteria for automobile or adaptive equipment eligibility.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, GERD, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, low back condition, and sinusitis due to unclear etiology and internal inconsistencies in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle sprain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for additional clothing allowances for calendar year 2021 is being remanded due to unclear information regarding which specific items were granted or denied in the July 2021 decision. The AOJ needs to obtain and associate all relevant records, including private clinic records and application decisions from previous years.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertension, prostate cancer, and left ankle disability are granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his right ankle and knee disabilities are denied. The low back disability claim has no current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a spine disability, left ankle disability, left shoulder condition, and left wrist disability, require additional development due to procedural errors in obtaining medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are as likely as not related to her active-duty service.