Ankle decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and denied rating increases for left ankle and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal was not legally adequate and requires remand for further action, including obtaining a medical opinion from the CEAT regarding personal care services needs and supervision requirements. The AOJ must also provide compliant notice under 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left ankle disability (not specified), and acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) has been denied. The appeal is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's avascular necrosis left hip, right foot pain, and left foot pain are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for right ankle sprain, left ankle arthralgia, right shoulder pain, lumbago (lower back pain), and systolic heart murmur. Service connection for abnormal skin pigmentation and OSA (sleep apnea) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining necessary medical records and for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flat foot, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's claims were not granted on a direct or secondary basis.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions.

The claims for service connection for left knee condition, bilateral flatfoot, right knee condition, and right ankle injury are dismissed.,The claim for a compensable evaluation for rhinitis (claimed as allergies) is dismissed.,The claim for service connection for chronic joint pain, left ankle injury is dismissed.,The claims for service connection for respiratory condition and tinea pedis are dismissed as premature.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been granted a 20% rating. The bilateral foot disability was granted initial ratings of 10% from February 2, 2007 to May 1, 2012 and increased to 30% from May 2, 2012 to August 14, 2023. The thoracolumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating starting April 8, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine condition, bilateral hand conditions (Raynaud syndrome), right ankle condition, left upper and right upper extremity radiculopathies. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot hammer toes and left ankle sprain, as secondary to the service-connected left knee condition due to inadequate addendum medical opinions. Further remand is required to obtain adequate opinions addressing the possibility of aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, breathing problems, migraines, IBS, syncope with dizziness, low back disability, neck disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability are all denied as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.,The Veteran has not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, breathing problems, migraines, IBS, syncope with dizziness, low back or neck disabilities, or ankle, foot, knee, shoulder, or wrist disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), migraines, a cervical spine disability, a right ankle disability, and a right elbow or shoulder disability due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has granted a temporary total evaluation for the Veteran's right cavus foot reconstruction surgery, finding that it was intended to improve his right ankle instability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, back disability, and left ankle disability prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a right ankle condition due to an impermissible concurrent election.,An earlier effective date of January 30, 2023, but no earlier, was granted for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right ankle, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot plantar fasciitis conditions. The claims were based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions were incurred in or due to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic disabilities, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 6, 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension have been dismissed due to concurrent election of review options. The appeal for numbness of the right foot is being remanded, as well as the claim involving a disability of the right shoulder, knee, ankle, and foot (to include consideration of gout).,The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending on remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of July 24, 2023. Claims for other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC higher than the (l) + (1/2) rate due to lack of anatomical loss or use of extremities, blindness, or permanent bedridden status.