Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and remanded the right ear hearing loss disability and right ankle disability service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left ankle Achilles tendonitis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the condition, as previous examinations did not include range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance was granted, but the AOJ severed this benefit due to a scheduling error. The Board has now restored the entitlement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA, which failed to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and injuries in service. The claims for left wrist condition including fracture, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residuals of prostate cancer are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis, left knee disability, and left ankle disability have been granted. The conditions are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective February 28, 2022. The effective date for DEA benefits is being remanded to consider whether it should be earlier than January 15, 2024.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals seeking service connection for various disabilities, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as left and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain adequate medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tendonitis and lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has decided that the Veteran and his spouse are not eligible for benefits under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to a lack of evidence showing they need personal care services from another individual. The case is being remanded to allow further development.

The Board has awarded a 100% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, effective April 12, 2020. As this award moots the issue of individual unemployability, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show an increase in severity within one year prior to the date of intent to file.

The Board denied service connection for psoriatic arthritis of the bilateral ankles, knees, and lower back as there was no evidence that the conditions were caused or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for TDIU and all service connection claims, stating he is satisfied with the decisions made regarding his VA disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral hip disabilities, migraine headaches, tinnitus, left knee disability and bilateral ankle disabilities are being remanded.,VA is required to grant an earlier effective date of December 15, 2021, for the award of service connection for right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and left knee strain. The Veteran's anxiety disorder rating is also being granted an earlier effective date of December 15, 2021.,VA must grant a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis as of December 15, 2021, but the reduction to zero percent from 30 percent on December 30, 2023, is not proper. The Veteran's respiratory condition (now claimed as chronic bronchitis) remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left wrist or left ankle conditions, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.,VA examinations in September 2019 found no evidence of lower back or knee conditions related to service. The VA examiner's opinions are deemed inadequate due to an inaccurate factual premise regarding parachute jumps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left wrist or left ankle conditions, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.,VA examinations in September 2019 found no evidence of lower back or knee conditions related to service. The VA examiner's opinions are deemed inadequate due to an inaccurate factual premise regarding parachute jumps.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as remanded the claims of left ankle, right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and a need for further development, including a new examination of the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain, left knee strain and bilateral pes planus with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision is based on a finding that the service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated the OSA.