Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened and granted service connection for several conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral shin splints, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and radiculopathy. The claims were previously denied due to lack of current disabilities or no disease/injury in service.

The Veteran's earlier effective date claims for initial grants of service connection for her cervical spine, lumbar spine, right arm paresthesias, right ankle, chronic pigmented papules skin, and right hip disabilities are dismissed.,Her right ankle disability was granted an increased rating but no higher than 10 percent effective March 3, 2017.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20% and his left ankle disability was initially rated at 10%, but from June 28, 2019, it has been rated at 20%. The claims for increased ratings are granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability resulted in moderate limitation of motion prior to August 28, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as the degree of loss was not pronounced or striking.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury and residuals of a right ankle injury, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions began during or were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder condition, bilateral elbow condition, left ankle condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals from a rib cage injury and his request for an increased rating for right ankle disability were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's initial rating for left Achilles tendon rupture from August 8, 2007 to March 6, 2017 is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the left foot surgical scar and left ankle limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, cervical, right ankle, left leg, bilateral knee (right and left), right knee, left knee, headaches, and gastrointestinal conditions. The Board found no current disability in any of these areas and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, cervical, right ankle, left leg, bilateral knee (right and left), right knee, left knee, headaches, and gastrointestinal conditions. The Board found that there is no current evidence of a disability in these areas during the period under consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, cervical, right ankle, left leg, bilateral knee (right and left), right knee, left knee, headaches, and gastrointestinal conditions. The Board found no current disability in any of these areas and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, cervical, right ankle, left leg, bilateral knee (right and left), right knee, left knee, headaches, and gastrointestinal conditions. The Board found no current disability in any of these areas and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for right ankle disability, and service connection for right foot condition have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the current conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right foot, right ankle, right knee, left knee, and right leg length discrepancy. The claims are based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injury resulting from his fractured right tibia and fibula.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty to assist errors. The Veteran needs VA examinations for his right arm, back, neck, and left ankle disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and TDIU prior to November 23, 2012. The evidence did not establish that his current disabilities were related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50%, resulted in a combined rating of 90% from October 13, 2016 to October 13, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period based on the severity and cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating and a higher rating for his right ankle disorder due to incomplete VA examination reports. The Veteran is also asked to attend another VA examination to address whether he has developed a separate and distinct foot disorder from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and tendonitis and instability of the right ankle, finding that there is equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to active service.,Service connection was denied for right metatarsus primus varus as secondary to right hallux valgus.