Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle strain, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology since service. The VA examiner opined that the current left ankle disability is not related to the in-service injury.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle status post fracture is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's rating for status post left total knee arthroplasty from January 1, 2015 to February 20, 2020 and from February 21, 2020 are both denied due to lack of evidence supporting ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left ankle condition, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disability due to further development being necessary.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from November 1, 2018. The claim for TDIU prior to October 3, 2017 is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability, service connection for right lower extremity disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ankle and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's reports of injuries during service are considered credible.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to issues related to the Appellant's period of active duty from September 1995 to July 1998, and additional development is needed to clarify his post-discharge service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle fracture residuals did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, and his osteoarthritis of the mid foot was also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 16, 2013.

The Veteran's request to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for flat feet, also claimed as pes planus and feet arches is granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for swollen joints, right ankle, and sensorineural hearing loss are remanded due to need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is not deemed to be a result of VA treatment or medication, and his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disability is rated at 10%, the left ankle disability at 10%, and both low back and right knee disorders are not service connected.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The claims for service connection for right knee disability, high cholesterol, and hypertension were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. Service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD), left hip disability, and depression has been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for some issues, including service connection for left and right hip disabilities. The Veteran's current knee and ankle conditions are found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, left flat foot (pes planus), and sinusitis due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that the conditions were aggravated by service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing aggravation during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues include service connection for left ear hearing loss, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral foot disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of his left and right ankle disabilities, finding that the earliest available effective date is August 19, 2010.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and left ankle, finding that these conditions do not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for left and right ankle sprains, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.