Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities as they are conditions that onset during his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle disability, finding that there was no indication of more than moderate limitation of motion. The evidence showed dorsiflexion to 5 degrees and plantar flexion to 25 degrees with pain noted on examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records. The VA must conduct additional searches for these records and provide a response in writing if they are found to be unavailable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, ankle, and knee disorders due to insufficient medical evidence. The claims are being returned for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected low back strain, right ankle disabilities, and left ankle disabilities are worse than currently rated. The claims have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's increased ratings claims for bilateral ankle disabilities and SMC claim based on loss of use of feet have been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for depression, left foot disability, and bilateral hand disability has been granted.,New evidence shows that the Veteran experienced pain in her hands which can constitute a disability. Her claim of service connection for bilateral hand disability is reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus. The claims of service connection for left shin splints, left ankle disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending before the Board. The VA will provide further examinations to determine if he has current diagnoses of these conditions, which may be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not rated higher than 20 percent due to limitation of motion.,The Veteran's right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has requested a VA ankle examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability, including during flare-ups. The examiner is instructed to provide ranges of motion and address additional loss of function due to painful motion, weakened motion, excess motion, fatigability, incoordination, or on flare up.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder and left ankle impairment, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition. The remand is due to inadequate medical opinions and missing medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability as the Veteran did not have evidence of an in-service injury or incident that could be linked to these conditions.,The Board also denied service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for low back strain, left hand strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, neck strain, and left ankle strain due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

An increased rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is granted from December 6, 2011.,Service connection for a skin condition (fibromatous type changes and keloid) is granted. The Veteran's current disability includes bilateral cataracts and glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus.,PTSD claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Bilateral hearing loss claim dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral cataracts, bilateral glaucoma, kidney infection, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower back pain is remanded. Service connection for sciatica is also remanded.,An increased rating for diabetes mellitus secondary to cataracts and glaucoma is remanded.,Service connection for kidney infection is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral shoulder pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral knee pain is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral ankle pain is remanded.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded.,Service connection for lower back pain is remanded.,Service connection for sciatica is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, and low back disorders. The positive opinions from a private orthopedic surgeon found these conditions were caused by active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for insomnia, depression, a left ankle disorder, migraine headaches, and a right ankle disorder have been dismissed. The issues of service connection for migraine headaches and a right ankle disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further development is needed before service connection for a left ankle disability can be decided.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for rating purposes, necessitating further development to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.