Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a left ankle disability due to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, left ankle, and right ankle disorders as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptoms or direct service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral elbow, shoulder, wrist, hip, and ankle disabilities.,The Board also dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including arthritis and foot issues. The Board found that further examination was needed as a result of the July 2021 Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR).

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain missing service treatment records and private medical records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have gastroenteritis that was incurred in or due to his time in service. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded as updated examinations are needed.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection as a presumptive condition due to his Gulf War service. His right and left ankle disabilities are granted an initial rating of 10 percent each.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right ankle disorder, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for right knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of marked limitation of motion or ankylosis to warrant higher evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a right ankle fracture and testicular cancer. The decision is binding only with respect to these specific matters.

The Veteran's kidney disability, inversion injury to the left ankle, and hypertension have been denied. The inversion injury to the left ankle and hypertension are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.,Prior to March 21, 2019, the Veteran met the schedular requirements for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding no evidence linking it to active duty service or any other related conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to depressive disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the knees, ankles, hips, and fingers, Hepatitis C, or a heart disability is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee strain are granted as service connected.,Service connection for the right ankle disability, characterized as Achilles tendon tear and instability of the right ankle, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected bilateral ankle and knee disabilities have been denied. The right ankle disability remains at a maximum rating of 20%, while the left ankle disability is rated as 20% disabling. Ratings in excess of these levels are not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, finding no evidence of such condition during or after service. The Veteran's left ankle injury is recognized but not related to the right ankle.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition worsened during his combat service. The right ankle disorder issue is remanded due to insufficient nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral deafness, a bilateral hip disorder, a neck disorder, a bilateral shoulder disorder, a back disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, a bilateral arm disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder), hypertensive cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, a bilateral elbow disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder were not caused by or related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The claims for service connection for a right foot disorder and a right ankle disorder are denied.