Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claims for TBI residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition with bilateral lower extremity numbness, right ankle condition, right heel condition, skin condition, and respiratory condition due to new and material evidence. These issues are remanded for further development.,The Board has also reopened the claims for these conditions but has not assigned a rating or effective date as the appeal is still in process.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, C4-C5 central disc protrusion with spondylosis, kidney disability, numbness and paresthesias of the bilateral hands, left hip painful flexion, right hip painful extension and flexion, left hip proximal femur stress fracture, right hip proximal femur stress fracture, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain for further development.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to review.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion and the need for consideration of the Veteran's lay statements. The low back and right ankle disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's facial injury (diplopia) is not service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.,For the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that they are manifested by ankylosis, nonunion of the tibia and fibula, limitation of extension to 30 degrees, or chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in either knee.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been granted a 20 percent rating, and instability of the right ankle is also granted. The issues of service connection for a vestibular disorder and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of right knee degenerative arthritis and left ankle disability due to conflicting evidence regarding their presence.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's periods of Reserve service and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability was denied in May 2011, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for an opinion on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes cavus, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and right leg radiculopathy due to inextricable interdependence with the claim of service connection for pes cavus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability due to new and material evidence presented since the last final denial. However, the claim is still pending as it must be remanded for further development including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and ankle conditions, as well as sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as back disability due to secondary service connection. The Veteran needs a new examination with an examiner other than those who previously examined him.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and the need for medical opinions regarding the etiology of her disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, OSA, and DM. The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral ankles and hips are also service connected.,Service connection was established based on aggravation of pre-existing conditions due to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and knee disabilities, preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 11, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis but remanded the issue of TDIU based solely on service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as a shoulder condition. The Veteran was not provided with records from Duke University and the University of North Carolina, which may be relevant to his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran contends that his disabilities are related to incidents during active duty.