Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left ankle condition. The Veteran contends that his current left ankle disability is related to an in-service incident where he was caught by a cable while onboard a ship.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a link between the conditions and military service. The Veteran's current disabilities are rated at 10 percent combined, which does not meet the threshold requirement for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent from September 10, 2013 to September 19, 2019. Since September 19, 2019, the Veteran is now entitled to a rating of 20 percent for his left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, including arthritis, based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and persistent symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flat feet were aggravated by service, warranting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded due to incomplete records and the need to determine if the injury occurred during active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has restored the 20 percent rating for the service-connected lumbosacral strain (back disability) effective from June 10, 2015. The initial and increased ratings for the left knee and left ankle disabilities remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability and a bilateral ankle disability, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these disabilities or any evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected surgical scar, left shoulder, associated with status post left shoulder arthroscopic repair, was denied. The Board found that the current disability does not warrant a higher rating.,Service connection for the Veteran’s claimed left ankle condition was also denied as there is no evidence of any current disability related to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle strain, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal regarding service connection for residuals of head injury was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his left shoulder and left ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder condition, fracture of the right-hand pinky, lower back condition, right knee condition, and right ankle condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting his TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including low back strain, bilateral patellar tendonitis, bilateral trapezius strains (claimed as shoulder disorders), bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a comprehensive orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, pes planus, right and left ankle disabilities, sinusitis, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10% prior to September 1, 2016 and increased to 20% after that date.,The Veteran's right knee instability was rated at 10% before October 12, 2019 and denied after that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and a rating of 20 percent for his left ankle disability is granted. The appeal regarding the eye disability is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, which includes a right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for this condition as it is related to an in-service injury.