The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition and noting the lack of credible lay statements regarding continuous symptoms since service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran did not report any issues with his left ankle during service despite receiving treatment for other musculoskeletal issues. The absence of complaints or treatment records related to a left ankle disability in service, combined with the lack of credible lay evidence of continuity of symptoms, persuasively weighed against finding service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2026
- Citation
- 26002728
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 26002728.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 12, 2016 to November 12, 2018 and from January 1, 2019 to July 22, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Persistent Depressive Disorder with Mild Alcohol Use Disorder and his service-connected Right Knee Strain, Left Ankle Strain, and Right Ankle Strain.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause incapacity requiring regular aid and attendance, and the Board has granted SMC effective March 17, 2023.
- Granted
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.
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