{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/ankle-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:02.929Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Ankle impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":25950,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":17.8,"denied_pct":32.2,"remanded_pct":51.2,"granted_on_merits_pct":35.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":1739,"granted_pct":9.1,"denied_pct":34.1,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2018,"issues":3021,"granted_pct":11.7,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":53.5},{"year":2019,"issues":3580,"granted_pct":13.9,"denied_pct":30.2,"remanded_pct":54.3},{"year":2020,"issues":3768,"granted_pct":15.6,"denied_pct":34.7,"remanded_pct":48},{"year":2021,"issues":3655,"granted_pct":15.9,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":51.4},{"year":2022,"issues":3566,"granted_pct":16.1,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":55.3},{"year":2023,"issues":4181,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":54.5},{"year":2024,"issues":4279,"granted_pct":19,"denied_pct":30.1,"remanded_pct":49.7},{"year":2025,"issues":4211,"granted_pct":22.2,"denied_pct":35,"remanded_pct":42},{"year":2026,"issues":1587,"granted_pct":27.9,"denied_pct":30.9,"remanded_pct":39.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":70.5,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":2854,"granted_pct_with":58.5,"granted_pct_without":30.9},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":19469,"granted_pct_with":34.3,"granted_pct_without":41.4},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":3453,"granted_pct_with":68.2,"granted_pct_without":28.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":12242,"granted_pct_with":34.7,"granted_pct_without":36.4},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":6920,"granted_pct_with":46.3,"granted_pct_without":30.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":1040,"granted_pct_with":58.1,"granted_pct_without":34.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":21678,"granted_pct_with":35.5,"granted_pct_without":35.7},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":838,"granted_pct_with":47.3,"granted_pct_without":35.1},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":1220,"granted_pct_with":47.5,"granted_pct_without":34.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":522},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":115},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":93},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":83},{"reason":"marked limitation of motion","decisions":67},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":58}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":1012},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":822},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":630},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":530},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":525},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":488}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040710","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Competent and credible lay testimony regarding onset and continuity of symptoms since service.; Service treatment records reflect a right ankle complaint.; Resolving doubt in Veteran's favor."},{"case_id":"A26040749","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Negative service treatment records.; Diagnosis shortly after service separation.; No indication of post-service cause.; No evidence against nexus to service."},{"case_id":"A26040785","year":2026,"judge":"S. SORATHIA","rationale":"Lay statements consistent with service; STRs show complaint of ankle pain; Benefit of the doubt applied"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040543","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. HERMAN","rationale":"VA examination did not indicate marked symptomatology; Evidence did not support higher rating than 10 percent; Veteran's lay opinion outweighed by VA examination"},{"case_id":"A26040694","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"STRs silent for right ankle complaints/treatment; Post-service VA exam normal with subjective pain; No current diagnosis of right ankle condition; Pain alone does not constitute disability per Saunders v. Wilkie"},{"case_id":"A26040965","year":2026,"judge":"A. DEAN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of bilateral ankle disability; No evidence of functional impairment; No complaints or treatments in service records"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}