Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided were not based on an accurate medical history, and thus remanded for further action to obtain private treatment records and provide proper due process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis and right ankle anterior lateral instability have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which is the highest assignable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,A higher rating for either condition is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would justify a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left wrist and left ankle disabilities due to a defect in the submission of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD). The Veteran must submit a proper VA Form 21-0958 as an NOD, which will then trigger the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee. The Veteran's complaints of joint pain were noted during service and continued post-service, with diagnoses provided in both settings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist, including failing to reschedule examinations and not considering certain medical evidence. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim(s) at this time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments related to his service-connected disabilities, particularly regarding his back condition. The issues of PTSD service connection, initial ratings for ankle strains, and TDIU are also pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder pain, a left ankle condition, cervical spine pain, respiratory issues, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a head injury due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examinations.,Incomplete service treatment records are noted, which may affect the determination of service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right shoulder impingement syndrome, right knee arthralgia, and right ankle condition have been granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been established for VA purposes. An initial rating of 40 percent for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is granted.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bronchitis is denied.,An initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, chronic is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for lateral scar left ankle was granted by the AOJ in December 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 1, 2022.,The Veteran is now eligible for Dependent's Education Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 from the same period.

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC was not legally adequate due to an insufficient medical opinion, and therefore remanded the case.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to parachute jumps during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues of left ankle, knee, shoulder, hip, lower back, and neck pain are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, pain of the cervical and cervicothoracic region, cervicogenic headaches, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Persistent Depressive Disorder with Mild Alcohol Use Disorder and his service-connected Right Knee Strain, Left Ankle Strain, and Right Ankle Strain.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service. ,The Veteran's low back disability is also being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are currently rated at 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 8515.,The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right ankle and left ankle are both currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings as there is no evidence that meets the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5003-5271.