Ankle decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective December 2022.,Left great ingrown toenail residuals were denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to consider additional evidence.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is related to service and granted.,Service connection for a TBI and migraines, as secondary to the claimed TBI, are denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and right wrist disabilities. The claim for an increased rating for a right knee disability was also denied.

The Veteran passed away before the Board could make a decision on her service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome. Her appeal is dismissed due to her death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is not a but-for cause of his claimed current condition and there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, bilateral ankle strain, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. These conditions are all deemed to have been incurred during active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, left ankle disability, and OSA due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will need to provide updated medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or other factors.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, finding that the current disabilities are not related to in-service injuries or conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions, left knee condition, and right ankle conditions are not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neurological condition (carpal tunnel syndrome) is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's right foot and ankle disorders are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were granted, but the effective dates are limited to March 27, 2024. The right ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than July 25, 2024, for various service-connected disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's rating for lumbosacral spine strain has been restored to 40 percent, effective August 28, 2024. The remaining claims have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA examiner must provide an opinion regarding the onset of these conditions during active service or their relation to incidents in service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disability and has remanded the claims of initial compensable rating for service-connected left knee strain, limitation of flexion, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee strain, limitation of extension.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or a link to service.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is denied due to lack of in-service onset and insufficient evidence linking the current diagnosis to service.,The Veteran's right ankle condition is denied for similar reasons.,PTSD is granted with an effective date of May 23, 2021.,Right hip conditions are granted with effective dates of August 6, 2020.,A 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss has an effective date of July 26, 2022.,Hypertension is granted with an effective date of May 23, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right ankle disability due to issues with VA's duty to assist and inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for facial scarring, left and right foot disabilities, left and right ankle disabilities, left knee, left hip, and left shoulder disabilities, as well as left and right wrist disabilities. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and service connection are not final due to missing SSA records. The case is being sent back to the AOJ to obtain these records.