Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip conditions due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or as a result of her active military service.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, chronic/recurrent is granted a 10 percent rating. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the cases of left ankle and left knee disorders due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound basis is denied as he does not have any disability rated at 100 percent disabling, including a single disability on which total disability rating (TDIU) may be based.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, bilateral ankle conditions as there is no competent evidence of a current disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, osteoarthritis of the right and left ankles, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and rating for the Veteran's conditions due to his death prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for a right rib fracture, service connection for hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, a right hip disability, and left hip disability have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for neck, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities, as the VA examinations conducted did not include both weight bearing and non-weight bearing range of motion assessments. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain these evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address instability of the right ankle. The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right ankle disability is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of service connection for bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and anger disorder) are now before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in some cases and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for pneumonia and a right ankle condition due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle tendonitis and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, finding that symptoms were chronic in service and continuous since separation. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to a disease becoming manifest within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, left eye cataract, and diabetic retinopathy of left eye due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance, higher ratings for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum to the previous examinations regarding the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his service-connected left ankle reflex sympathetic dystrophy and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments.

The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error and will remand the left knee and left ankle service connection claims for further development.