Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service injuries are supported, but the VA examiners did not adequately address these points.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a 20% rating from July 30, 2012 to February 18, 2023. The claim for an increased rating beyond this period is denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent since February 22, 2017. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's left ankle ROM is less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion during flare-ups or after repetitive use.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the appeal period prior to April 10, 2024 was denied as he was gainfully employed. For the appeal period beginning on April 10, 2024, a TDIU based on combined effects of service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities due to joint pain. The decision is pending further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal concerning an effective date prior to November 1, 2015, for the award of a separate disability rating for instability of the left ankle. The remaining issues on appeal have been remanded due to new evidence and need further development.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for various joint disabilities are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to her service-connected persistent mood disorder, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and bilateral ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain. The decision is based on a private medical opinion that associates the Veteran's obesity with her service-connected disabilities, which in turn caused her sleep apnea.

The Veteran's left hip condition is rated at 10 percent, and his right ankle sprain/strain and right knee meniscus tear are both rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings have been granted.

The claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and initial increased rating for the lumbar spine disability have been withdrawn.,The claim for service connection for bilateral athlete's foot has been denied. The Veteran is being remanded for further examination to determine if he has a current right ankle disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of lumbar spine, left knee, and both ankle conditions due to an impermissible concurrent election.

The Veteran's right ankle status post total ankle replacement is rated at a maximum of 40 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5056. The Board found that his disability most closely approximated chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder and right ankle disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee strain, varus deformity of the ankle (claimed as right ankle condition), and varus deformity of the foot (claimed as bilateral foot condition) are all granted service connection. The left knee patellofemoral joint osteoarthrosis is also granted service connection.,Service connection for each claimed disability is established based on a finding that there was an in-service event, injury or disease and that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 12, 2023.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including back, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The remaining issues are being remanded.