Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disorders due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a 60% or higher combined evaluation, but he has been unable to work due to his left ankle/foot disability since March 2012. The case will be referred to VA’s Director, Compensation Service, for consideration of whether an extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that her current symptoms are related to her already service-connected stress fracture residuals.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right arm disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was also not granted as secondary to arthritis.,Service connection was denied for all issues due to the lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other valid service connection theory.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of cervical spine strain remains denied. The Board has found that the current 30 percent rating is appropriate, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or associated neurological manifestations. For right and left ankle disabilities, the claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's strain, right ankle is rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left elbow conditions, obstructive sleep apnea, knee conditions, ankle conditions, shin splints, and low back condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's PTSD has been granted with an initial rating of 70 percent since September 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left ankle and right wrist disabilities due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is also denied for a left ankle disability and a left knee disability due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions. The residuals of a left heel condition will be addressed in conjunction with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding medical records. The issues of service connection for lower back, right ankle, left foot, right foot, and right hip disabilities are being remanded as well as the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left ankle DJD, status post fusion, was denied. The disability is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral arthralgia of the ankles and remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand multiple claims for further development due to a significant gap in the record and the need to obtain updated VA medical records. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private treatment records he may have.

The Board denied service connection for cervical, low back, right knee, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities as well as vertigo and lung/breathing disability. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was not granted on a direct basis due to lack of a medical nexus between the current conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle arthritis, bilateral upper extremity numbness/tingling, right knee injury with degenerative changes, and right knee instability due to inadequate rationale in prior opinions. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to provide an opinion on whether his current left ankle disorders are related to service.