Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is now rated at 20 percent effective February 6, 2020. His headaches are currently rated at 30 percent from August 13, 2020.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, right foot onychomycosis, and service-connected coronary artery disease were granted. The issues of service connection for arteriosclerosis, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral eye disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, cervical disorder, headache disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, dental disorder, obesity, and left foot onychomycosis are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, and low back disabilities. The appeal is being remanded due to inadequate or incomplete previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, cervical spine, and chest pain. The remand requires additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and other specified trauma and stress related disorders.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis in upper extremities, and osteoarthritis in lower extremities due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision also notes that the Veteran's left ankle disorder is not related to his active service or a service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.,Service connection is not granted for a back disability or right lower extremity radiculopathy (to include hip and ankle) due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle disability from October 1, 1994 to June 17, 1999 was granted at a 30 percent level. A subsequent rating of 40 percent for the same condition since December 1, 1999 is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The right ankle issue is being addressed first, with a request for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a new examination to assess the severity of the service-connected right ankle disability throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of service connection for her left ankle sprain.

Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for circumcision scarring is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for right shoulder rotator cuff tear, subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis (claimed as right shoulder disability) secondary to service-connected left ankle sprain with instability is denied.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 17, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities which rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyslipidemia is denied as it is not a disability under VA law and regulations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine strain, low back pain, degenerative joint diseases of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, allergic rhinitis, peptic ulcer, diverticulosis, hiatal hernia, erectile dysfunction, benign prostate hyperplasia, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned issues.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and alcohol use disorder. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot fungus and skin blisters on scrotum, bilateral legs, and bilateral ankles.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, finding that her current diagnoses are causally related to her time in service. The claims were remanded for further development on other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder, LUE CTS, RUE CTS, and denied service connection for left knee disorders. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability and its relationship to his service-connected conditions. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the left ankle disability had onset in, or is otherwise related to, active military service, or is caused by disease or injury during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has granted a TDIU from January 31, 2011 until May 8, 2017 due to the combined effect of service-connected disabilities preventing the Veteran from securing or following gainful employment.