Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left foot hallux valgus (bunions), and left ankle disability have been granted service connection.,Reasoning: The evidence shows that the Veteran had in-service injuries or diseases resulting in current disabilities, and there is no evidence of pre-existing conditions. All reasonable doubts are resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, granting the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disorder, epididymitis, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.,The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, granting the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disorder, epididymitis, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for refractive disorder, left ankle condition, bilateral shin splints, weight disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's full name and all aliases must be used in the search for these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disorder is secondary to her service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's left foot, right knee, and left ankle conditions are granted service connection.,The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions secondary to her service-connected right foot and/or left knee conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment prior to June 12, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral glaucoma suspect, claimed as ocular hypertension and service connection for a left ankle disability are remanded due to the need for further development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, as well as her jaw disability. The claim for service connection of a right foot disability is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for left ankle arthritis before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to his obesity and thus caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and back disability were granted increased ratings. The right ankle was rated at 20 percent, while the back disability was rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, bilateral hip, left knee and right ankle disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities. As a result, these conditions have been granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches, heart disabilities, left knee and ankle disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinus disability are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle condition, finding that new and relevant evidence supports a determination of etiology between his current disability and active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain are productive of functional loss of use of the feet. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of both feet.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, headaches, and right ankle disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TDIU and disability ratings for ankle and knee conditions. The Veteran is required to provide tax returns from 2008-2009 and undergo VA examinations.