Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right ankle sprain, status post peroneal tendon rupture and plantar fasciitis of the right foot as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The left shoulder, right ankle, and left knee disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The claims for service connection for breast cancer, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right trapazoidectomy, and left trapazoidectomy are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Additional evidence or clarification may be required to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now granted. The Board found new and material evidence that supports the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, plantar tendonitis, heel spurs, knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a higher 70 percent rating, but ratings for his ankle disabilities and other conditions are denied. The claims for service connection of low back disability, left foot disability (radiculopathy), facial scars, and facial lesions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for readjudication due to a lack of consideration of recent evidence in the April 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence requiring further development by the AOJ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rhinitis, sinus problems, lung spots, bilateral hearing loss, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, and TBI.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle, low back, and bilateral hand conditions. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking an increase in his rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which may impact his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection. The remaining appealed issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, right knee injury, and residuals of right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his right ankle disability has been dismissed as a matter of law due to concurrent election and withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right foot pain began during service, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the right index finger, left index finger, right elbow, left elbow, right knee, or right ankle. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of right ankle keloid removal, left foot disability, right foot disability, facial tic, pyelonephritis (claimed as chronic kidney infections), and lumbosacral strain status post L1-3 lumbar laminectomy have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities as secondary to her already service-connected pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty and have continued since.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, hand, and left elbow conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands.