Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not cause marked limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's assertions at his hearing suggest multiple injuries in service may have contributed to current disability. A medical opinion is required to address this.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an arthritic condition due to inadequate etiology opinions provided in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's lay statements, testimony before the Board, and in-service injuries are considered in determining the cause of his current osteoarthritis disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and PTSD due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his ankle, foot nerve condition, and knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disorders, but denied service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left ankle disability was dismissed as the Veteran and his representative elected to withdraw their appeal before the Board made a decision.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's low back and left ankle disabilities, finding that the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent for the low back disability have not been met. The criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent for the left ankle disability have also not been met.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection. The right lower extremity tingling and numbness are related to the in-service hamstring injury, but not due to his service-connected low back condition. The left ankle condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD, but denied service connection for atopic dermatitis, hypertension, and a left ankle disorder. The decision is based on the evidence showing these conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of VA examination before death, requiring further medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, ankle, elbow, wrist, cervical spine, and hip disabilities. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was also denied for tinnitus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's residuals of fracture, right anterior superior calcaneus are rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2017.,Effective May 3, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to a separate rating of 10 percent for Achilles tendonitis affecting his right ankle.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his left ankle disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.,His sleep apnea, PTSD-related, and bilateral hip/knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, thyroid disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and esophageal varices are all remanded for further development. The issues include service connection for these conditions.