The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,A 70 percent rating, but not higher, was granted for PTSD. The Veteran's occupational and social impairment due to PTSD is considered most severe at this level.,An initial 40 percent rating, but not higher, was granted for prostate cancer. The Veteran requires absorbent materials that must be changed four times per day due to urinary incontinence.,The Board found insufficient evidence to support service connection for a heart disability on either direct or secondary aggravation basis and remanded the issue.,The Board also found insufficient evidence to support service connection for a right knee disability on either direct or secondary aggravation basis and remanded the issue.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the right ankle disability rating, leaving no issues remaining for review.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The criteria for this level are met by the Veteran's symptoms.,Prostate cancer residuals include voiding dysfunction requiring absorbent materials changed four times per day. A 40 percent rating, but not higher, is assigned based on these findings.,The Board found insufficient evidence to support service connection for a heart disability due to lack of medical opinion addressing the Veteran's herbicide exposure and PTSD as aggravating factors.,The Board also found insufficient evidence to support service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of medical opinion addressing the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his current right knee strain.
- Claimed conditions
- strain, right anterior talofibular joint and first MTP joint (right ankle disability), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prostate cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26015612
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 A26015612.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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