Ankle Instability and VA Disability Ratings

Ankle instability can create significant limitations on your ability to work in certain fields, and even to go about daily activities. Ankle instability can be caused by past injuries, such as multiple ankle sprains, or by damage from an underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. Here’s what you need to know about how the VA rates ankle conditions.

About Ankle Instability

The main characteristic of ankle instability is repeated giving out of the outside of the ankle. Other symptoms may include: 

• Pain
• Chronic swelling
• The ankle feeling weak or wobbly

Treatment may include: 

• Wearing a brace
• Steroids
• Physical therapy
• Surgery, including:
  • Cartilage repair
  • Ankle replacement
  • Fusion

VA Disability Benefits for Ankle Instability

Service Connection

Like all VA disability claims, an ankle instability claim requires evidence that the condition is service connected. That means the burden is on the veteran to show that the condition was caused by an incident during or began during their military service. The veteran may also be able to show a secondary connection, meaning that the condition was caused by a service-connected condition or the treatment for a service-connected condition.

Disability Ratings for Ankle Instability

Of course, the VA disability rating assigned for ankle instability will depend on the severity of the condition. It may also depend on the cause, since some causes will involve other symptoms and limitations. Typically, ankle instability alone will result in a VA disability rating of either 10% or 20%. However, a veteran with ankle unreliability may qualify for a higher disability rating if:

• The specifics of their condition warrant extraschedular rating
• The condition causes additional problems, such as leg pain
• The condition is caused by another condition that may be rated itself, such as arthritis
• The veteran suffers from one or more other service-connected or secondary-connected conditions

The best way to ensure that you receive the highest appropriate VA disability rating is to make sure your claim is completed thoroughly and accurately and that you’ve provided the type of medical and other evidence the VA needs to approve your claim and assign the appropriate rating. Fortunately, you don’t have to figure that out alone. The experienced VA disability advocates at Veterans Help Group are here for you. To learn more, call us today at 855-855-8992 or fill out our contact form. 

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