Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional VA treatment records and consideration of newly developed evidence.

The Board has found that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurological disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is asked to provide private medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic ankle arthritis, right, was dismissed due to the Veteran's request to cancel his Board hearing and withdraw the entirety of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as initial compensable ratings for left and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a rating of 20 percent for spondylosis at L5 with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome is dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for peroneal tear of the right ankle was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for marked limited motion, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a left shoulder disability, bilateral wrist and ankle disabilities, and a back disability have been denied. The right shoulder disability, diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination.,The Veteran was not provided with examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed conditions by VA since those in February 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current functional impairment is related to an in-service injury. Service connection for chest pain was denied as it is considered a symptom of the already service-connected esophageal disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition or link to service. The claim for memory loss is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle sprain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion, which is required for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for SMC for loss of use of the left foot due to his left ankle sprain was also denied. The VA examiners concluded there was no medical evidence showing permanent loss of use of the left foot.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The Veteran submitted a new private psychiatric evaluation in July 2021 that diagnosed him with PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right knee disability and cellulitis of the right ankle and knee, so these claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to lack of VA examination.,For erectile dysfunction, an addendum opinion is needed to determine if it is caused by a disease or injury in service or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and an additional VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including right knee and ankle disorders, as well as increased ratings and earlier effective dates for thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran withdrew his appeal in an August 2018 statement.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis was denied as his disability is already at the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for HNP of the lumbar spine with DJD and IVDS, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle sprain with DJD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for status post left ankle reconstruction with DJD, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new VA records added after the last SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.