Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left ankle and lumbar spine stenosis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for these conditions prior to specified dates.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle arthritis is not related to his in-service right ankle sprain and denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is rated at 10 percent, and his chronic lumbar strain prior to April 1, 2020 was also rated at 10 percent.,For the period before April 1, 2020, the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain was rated as 10 percent due to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the August 2021 VA examination report, requiring a new VA examination for the Veteran's right ankle condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issue of increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The claim for service connection for seizures has been reopened, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine its etiology. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to multi-substance intoxication, finding that it was a result of medication taken for treatment of service-connected disabilities and not willful misconduct.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is denied as not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's right ankle and neck disabilities. The GERD claim remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, left ankle, and gout disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right and left knee conditions due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for the service-connected right ankle disability due to inadequate examination reports and a need for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The right shoulder, low back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are all found to be related to her service-connected right knee disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The right shoulder, low back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are all found to be related to her service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his scars and ankle disability have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate addendum opinions from previous VA examinations regarding the Veteran's ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only is denied due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria. The claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound is remanded as VA medical records from November 2015 to the present are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of evidence.,Specifically, additional medical opinions are required regarding the etiology of various conditions including cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease, right shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, fibromyalgia (Gulf War Illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (Gulf War Illness), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (Gulf War Illness), and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted due to very frequent and prolonged prostrating attacks.,For his right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating. The examination revealed limited range of motion with dorsiflexion being less than 15 degrees.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various service connection claims, including for bilateral hearing loss, left arm condition, lumbar strain, left knee condition, left ankle condition, plantar fasciitis, anxiety condition, migraine headaches, jaw condition, lung condition, bronchitis, pneumonia, cervical strain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, kidney stones, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right ankle condition. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remands. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned to VA for further action.

The Board partially vacated the April 2021 decision, granting a 20% rating for service-connected right ankle injury with degenerative changes without considering pre-service disability. The remaining issues are denied.