Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability issues were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his left ankle disability, bilateral knee condition, and vascular condition.

The Board denied restoration of service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disability, finding that the original grant was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to the Veteran being AWOL when he injured his ankle. The Board also found no evidence supporting secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for a disability of the third finger of the right hand, and service connection for a right ankle condition. The case will be returned to the VA Regional Office for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and respiratory disability (other than allergic rhinitis), claimed as bronchitis and asthma, due to inadequate medical opinions in the August 2021 VA examination report.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under current criteria.,Service connection for lumbar spine condition, bilateral hip conditions, bilateral knee conditions, and left ankle condition are denied as these disabilities are considered congenital defects that were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for TDIU. The Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, thus SMC on the basis of aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the March 2015 VA examination, which did not address whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is a congenital disease or defect and did not discuss the relationship between the current foot disorder and ankle disorder.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent prior to March 6, 2020, and a separate 10 percent rating for instability is granted. The TDIU claim is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for various lower extremity disorders due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and low back disabilities due to insufficient examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The claims will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connection due to a current diagnosis and the Board finding it was incurred in service.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support its relationship to service.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to service-connected conditions. The Board found that it was likely due to medication use rather than service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied as there are no records showing an in-service injury, and the current condition does not have a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle conditions, as well as hypothyroidism.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 7, 2017 for the Veteran's service-connected MDD and right ankle disorder. The earlier effective date for MDD remains at May 23, 2013, as no earlier effective date is available under applicable law.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, and remanded the cases of left ankle and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and hip disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete record review.

The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity edema has been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded the claims for impaired short-term memory loss, left lower extremity edema, left hip disability, left leg torn ligaments, left knee disability, and service-connected tendonitis of the left ankle.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and left ankle disabilities, including due to flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for DJD of the left ankle. The issue of service connection for JAK2 myeloproliferative disease, as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is remanded.