Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and right ankle disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right eye injury, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.,Nonservice-connected pension benefits are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in permanent total disability. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his TBI.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle disability and bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred or caused by his military service.,Specifically, the VA examiner found no evidence of chronic conditions in the ankles or knees during service or post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his in-service injury. The issues of whether restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are related to service-connected conditions or an in-service event have been sent back for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and/or due to being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to restore a 30% evaluation for residuals of left ankle sprain tarsal tunnel syndrome with sural neuropathy, finding that his disability materially improved and was expected to be maintained under ordinary conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot disorder, right ankle disorder, and right-side pain disorder due to inadequate examinations and incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lower back disability, right hip disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bronchitis due to outstanding evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and remands the cases for further development. The Veteran's right ankle disability and left leg shin splints may be related to her service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, but this needs to be clarified with additional medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bronchitis and left ankle disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and right ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an inversion injury to the left ankle, anxiety disorder, hypertension secondary to anxiety disorder, and a kidney condition due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The appeals are pending until further action is taken.

Service connection for hypertension is granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, left hip, and left ankle disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder rating is remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for her service-connected right ankle strain status-post surgery is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination assessing the severity of her current residuals.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, headaches, left and right ankle tendinitis, and bilateral eye disorder. The Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine condition was not aggravated by service, and his current disorders were not incurred in or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a left ankle disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

For the period from August 17, 2011 to January 16, 2014 and August 18, 2016 to September 22, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with degenerative arthritis of the spine is not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees, resulting in a denial for higher ratings.,From January 17, 2014 to August 17, 2016, the Veteran's right ankle sprain was limited at most to 30 degrees plantar flexion and 0 degrees dorsiflexion, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating.,From August 17, 2011 to February 11, 2019, the Veteran's status post left arthroscopic meniscectomy with post-operative scarring was manifested by painful motion and limited range of motion, but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,Since April 1, 2020, the Veteran's status post total left knee arthroplasty with post-operative scarring is not manifested by severe weakness, ankylosis, or extension limited to 30 degrees, resulting in denial of a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disorder, finding that there is no competent and credible evidence linking his current right ankle condition to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU due to his service-connected right ankle disability. The appeal is now expanded to include these matters.