WIN VA Disability for Your Ankle Injury

Ankle injuries are common among veterans. In fact, limitation of motion of the ankle is one of the top 10 reasons veterans are receiving VA disability benefits. That’s true overall and in terms of those newly receiving benefits in 2023. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s quick or easy to secure VA disability benefits for an ankle issue. To increase your chances of winning your VA disability claim or appeal, it’s important to know what the VA is looking for. 

Establishing Your VA Disability Claim for an Ankle Injury

Proving your VA disability claim is a two-part process: 

• You must demonstrate that you have an ankle injury that is wholly or partly disabling, the severity of your injury and symptoms, and
• You must show that the injury is service-connected, or that your military service worsened an existing condition

Establishing a Service Connection

To prove a service connection, you’ll need to show an in-service event that caused your ankle injury. Ideally, this will be established through service records and/or medical records from your military service. However, there may be other ways to establish that your ankle injury occurred during service, such as statements from witnesses who served with you. You will also have to show that the limitations you face today are a result of that in-service incident. 

An experienced VA disability benefits advocate can help you assemble the evidence you need to connect your current ankle problems to your military service. 

Proving the Degree of Disability

The nature and extent of your service-connected ankle injury will determine whether and at what level you qualify for benefits. For example, limited motion of the ankle–the most common ankle injury veterans receive benefits for–can be rated only 10% or 20%. Which rating is assigned depends on the percentage of limitation. However other conditions, such as ankylosis of the ankle, may result in a higher disability rating. 

That means a clear diagnosis and testing that documents the exact nature and extent of your limitations will be crucial to receiving the VA disability benefits you deserve. 

Give Yourself the Advantage of an Experienced VA Disability Benefits Advocate

Winning your VA disability claim for an ankle injury depends on more than having a disability. It also depends on providing the documentation necessary to help the VA make the right determination and assign the right disability rating. To learn more about how the dedicated advocates at Veterans Help Group will put our knowledge and experience to work for you, call 855-855-8992 right now, or fill out our contact form here.

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