Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and an initial rating of 20 percent for the left ankle disability. The cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to discount any ameliorative effects of pain medications.

The Board has decided to remand all of the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability and denied his claim for service connection. The claims for lumbosacral strain and left ankle sprain are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, right ankle, and right foot disabilities due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 24, 2020 for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a TDIU. The evidence shows that his PTSD symptoms have significantly impacted his ability to work since January 31, 2019.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 7, 2020 for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right ankle injury with residuals and granted service connection for lumbar sprain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's representative requested a copy of the claims file, but it has not been provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions and a left ankle condition due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right ankle strain are denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle sprain, and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and right ankle disability. The issues are related to whether these disabilities are secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability, or if they were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, diabetes as secondary to degenerative disc disease, hypertension as secondary to degenerative disc disease, and sleep apnea as secondary to degenerative disc disease. The left ankle disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to incomplete records, duty-to-assist errors, and potential exposure to toxic substances. Further development is required including obtaining private medical records, personnel records, and TERA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain. Service connection for right hip strain is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ankle strain has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of his Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder are remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, cervical strain, costochondritis, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, was denied. The decision is based on the lack of relevant official service department records being associated with the claims file at the time of the initial decision.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including a lateral talar dome lesion and anterior tibial exostosis with fracture, is rated at 10 percent. The service-connected surgical scars are rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The diagnoses are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, neck disability, right ankle disability, vertigo, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, have been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis for these conditions.,A remand has been ordered to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's chest pain.