Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied all claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle due to a significant worsening since the last examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it was not caused or aggravated by his military service.,For the period prior to February 12, 2015, the Veteran's left ankle condition resulted in a torn ligament and partial tear of the superficial, deep deltoid ligament, spring ligament. The rating assigned is 20 percent for this period.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right and left ankle disabilities due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities, including whether they represent ankylosis. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claims for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a left ankle disorder, CTS of the upper extremities, and various hip and knee disorders. The Veteran is also seeking higher initial ratings for her lumbar spine and right hip disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while the ratings for residuals of a right ankle fracture and MDD were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sinusitis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and bilateral foot condition due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the claims for increased ratings for left ankle and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, right foot condition, right ankle condition, and right knee conditions are all remanded. The left knee condition claim is also remanded as secondary to the right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's right knee enthesopathy and osteoarthritis, as well as his right ankle sprain.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle, pes planus, foot, knee, shoulder, and carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities as they are not related to service.,Service connection was also denied for sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for a left ankle sprain prior to February 23, 2017, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for further development including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and hypertension was granted. The RO denied the reopened claim for hearing loss, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, OSA, and hypertension on the merits.,The Board remanded the reopened issue of service connection for a bilateral knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, but denied service connection for a right ankle disability. The decision is subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to address certain issues. The Appellant is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability incurred as a result of medication prescribed by VA medical personnel on January 10, 2007.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to unsuccessful attempts to obtain VA and private treatment records. An SSOC must be issued before these matters are returned to the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic left ankle strain and shortening of the left leg are being remanded due to a need for additional examination.