Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to duty-to-assist errors. Specifically, a new VA opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left knee and left ankle conditions are related to in-service events or injuries.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain and lumbosacral strain have been evaluated, with the left ankle sprain receiving a 10% rating. The lumbosacral strain received a temporary 20% rating prior to January 4, 2016, but no higher ratings are granted due to lack of marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his right ankle condition, finding that there was no CUE in the August 2017 rating decision and that the claim was not timely filed prior to May 24, 2017.

The Veteran's right turf toe is related to service and granted service connection.,Secondary service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, lower back condition, neck condition, right ankle condition, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes, and chronic headaches and dizzy spells are denied as there is no current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture residuals are granted an increased rating of 20 percent. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right ankle DJD is granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right leg disability other than a right ankle disability and varicose veins, to include right knee DJD, is remanded.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to complete the development required in previous Board remands, specifically referring the issue of TDIU prior to July 10, 2014, on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle conditions have been rated as 10 percent each, with separate ratings for instability. The appeal is remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran’s left and right knees are currently rated at 10 percent based on osteoarthritis and instability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and further development is required.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a 20 percent rating from January 7, 2019 onwards. His right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral painful hips, knees, ankles, sleep apnea and high blood pressure are remanded due to the need for further development regarding his service dates and VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left ankle disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The Board also found that his current knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's hallux valgus is a congenital 'disease' or instead a congenital 'defect', and if it is a disease, to determine if it was aggravated by any event or injury in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, hand, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate etiology opinions provided by VA examiners. The examiner is required to provide new opinions addressing the diagnoses, origins, and relationship of these conditions to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not substantially comply with previous remand directives and thus, the claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet and left ankle disability, finding no current disabilities due to disease or residual of injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition. The Board also found insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish service connection based on chronicity.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.