WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsIf the VA already service-connected your ankle (also called ankle pain, ankle sprain, ankle instability, foot pain), it can cause or worsen other conditions that are ratable on their own. These "secondary" claims are where many veterans leave money on the table. Below is what a service-connected ankle commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (ankle) is already service-connected, and you have a nexus — a doctor's opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" the cause. More on nexus letters →
A bad ankle changes your gait and shifts stress up the chain to the knee, hip, and lower back over years.
What you'd need: Imaging/exam of the affected joint and a nexus opinion linking it to the altered gait from the service-connected ankle/foot.
Favoring an injured ankle overloads the other side, wearing out the opposite ankle or foot over time.
What you'd need: Imaging/exam of the opposite ankle/foot plus a nexus opinion attributing it to overcompensation.
Altered weight-bearing from an ankle or foot injury can overload the plantar fascia, causing chronic heel/arch pain.
What you'd need: A plantar fasciitis diagnosis and a nexus opinion linking it to the service-connected foot/ankle mechanics.