Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anal fissure, hemorrhoids, costochondritis, and left ankle disorder have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right elbow condition, right ankle condition, low back disability (lumbosacral degenerative joint disease), left knee disability, and left ankle disability have all been denied.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder disability, and right ankle disability are granted as service-connected based on new evidence provided since the prior decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to October 25, 2018, for left ankle fracture status post open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with residual pain, edema, and leg length discrepancy.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle condition, right wrist condition, and allergic rhinitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as they prevent prolonged standing and walking.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient data and analysis in the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) review, which did not adequately address the Veteran's need for personal care services based on his mental impairments.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to obtain complete service treatment records, which may provide evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic left ankle sprain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the current condition is related to a left ankle injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Erectile Dysfunction, a Respiratory Condition (including Shortness of Breath), and a Right Ankle Condition have all been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's stress fractures of the left second and third metatarsals are granted a 30% disability rating since November 9, 2022.,The Veteran's left ankle sprain status post arthrotomy is denied for increased ratings.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for the left knee disability cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for hemorrhoids cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than an alcohol-related disorder (claimed) cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.,Service connection for an alcohol-related disorder (claimed) cannot be established without a current VA examination. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as service-connected.,The tinnitus claim has been readjudicated due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, right ankle condition, and tinnitus, caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 16, 2024. The Board granted TDIU based on the cumulative effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The claim for left ankle condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.,Specifically, the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on how the Veteran's symptoms would differ in severity without medication use.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability and right hand disabilities, finding no current disabilities or evidence of in-service injury. The Board also remanded the case to obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's back disability is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in the Veteran's favor.,Right ankle sprain is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in the Veteran's favor.,Restless leg syndrome of the left leg is remanded due to lack of a proper examination and opinion.,Restless leg syndrome of the right leg is remanded for similar reasons.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).