Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic or recurrent symptoms prior to post-service injuries. The VA examiners provided significant probative value in their opinions.,Service connection was also remanded for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, status post total left hip replacement, is granted. The right ankle condition issue has been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck condition and right ankle condition due to incomplete development. The decision on whether to grant or deny these claims will be determined after further review.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and right ankle disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disability is related to his service-connected right ankle sprain. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if there is any connection between his current left ankle condition and his active service, including his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the rating for right shoulder AC joint separation with degenerative joint disease, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for bilateral shin/ankle disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right shoulder claim.

The Veteran's high grade talofibular ligament strain of the left ankle is rated at 30 percent, effective from April 2014. The Board also granted a TDIU effective August 30, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar discogenic disease.,Service connection for a hiatal hernia is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions including left and right ankle disabilities, chest bursitis, shoulder bursitis, hip bursitis, gastritis, foot fungus, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus condition is granted a separate initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The left and right knee disabilities are denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including psoriatic arthritis, kidney disorder, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right ankle disability. The issues were withdrawn by the Veteran through his attorney.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional records, including National Guard and Reserve personnel records, SSA records, and private medical records from Strong Memorial Hospital and Cook County Hospital.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to the lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service.,The Board has remanded the claims for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine at L4-L5 and L5-S1 and left ankle chondromalacia, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar calluses and for a right ankle disability. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of either condition, and that any pain or discomfort did not constitute a disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and alcohol use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder, back disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.