Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right ankle, and right knee disabilities have been granted. The right knee disability was denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease. The low back and right ankle disabilities were reopened based on new evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his right ankle disability as he explicitly withdrew it during a hearing. The cases for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's right leg scar is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating due to lack of unstable or painful scars.,The Veteran's neurological disability of the right foot prior to May 1, 2016 is rated as non-compensable. The Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on mild incomplete paralysis.,From May 1, 2016 onwards, the Veteran's neurological disability of the right foot is rated at 10 percent due to moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on marked limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and procedural issues, including the need for a statement of the case on service connection claims and TDIU. The SSA records are also requested.

The Veteran's left ankle disability met the criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent as of June 23, 2010. A higher evaluation is not warranted in that ankle ankylosis was not demonstrated at any time.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities and obtain any outstanding treatment records. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated based on their functional loss due to pain, with the right ankle receiving a rating of 20 percent from May 22, 2017. The left ankle disability has also received a 20 percent rating since that date.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and requires a new examination to determine if it warrants an increased rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including lumbar spine, left ankle, and left knee conditions, as well as sleep apnea and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left heel disability and hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, and the grant of service connection for tinnitus prior to February 4, 2015 have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for ovarian disorder, vitamin deficiency, right ankle chronic lateral collateral ligament sprain, loss of sleep, and a migraine headache disorder have all been dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, left ankle disability, and plantar fasciitis. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left ankle disability prior to April 20, 2011, and beginning July 1, 2011. The Veteran’s left ankle disability has not been manifested by marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder strain and did not address the increased rating claim for residuals of a right ankle sprain. The case is REMANDED to provide further development.

The Veteran's right ankle osteomyelitis is being remanded for further evaluation due to a lack of clarity in the relationship between his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and his current condition.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has ordered remand to obtain additional medical evidence and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claims for low back disability, left and right ankle joint pain, calcaneal spurs of the feet, and tarsal tunnel syndrome was granted. The claims for these conditions are now remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and a VA medical opinion is required to address the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left-ankle and right-ankle disorders, finding no evidence of a current disability or causation during service. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to his service-connected hip disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and granted an initial rating of 20 percent for gout, finding no in-service injury or disease related to the right ankle and that the Veteran does not currently have a current right ankle disability. The decision also found that there were one or two exacerbations per year of gout, warranting a 20% rating.