Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left and right ankle disorders have been rated at 10 percent each since April 2017. The VA has determined that the current ratings are appropriate based on moderate limitation of range of motion in both ankles.

The Veteran's pes planus has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, with a current rating of 50 percent from May 29, 2018. The right ankle and low back disabilities have not yet been evaluated by VA.,Service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hip disability remains pending as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, psychiatric disability (PTSD), and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.,His current hearing loss disability is considered a disability under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, as well as a skin disorder (other than PFB), finding no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, but has remanded his claim for service connection of traumatic osteoarthritis of the right ankle.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of potential separate or extraschedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current right ankle disability is caused by or worsened by his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with degenerative changes is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and ankle disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of initial compensable evaluation for nephrolithiasis, right knee strain, and service connection for lower back disability, left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, and lower gastrointestinal problems. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain any outstanding records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for compensable ratings for right ankle disability, chronic bronchitis, and hypertension can be properly adjudicated. The Veteran's attorney requested new examinations due to reported worsening of his conditions since previous evaluations in 2015.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's left ankle synovitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left ankle instability, status-post stabilization surgery. A disability rating of 10 percent for the left knee disability is granted from April 1, 2021. Service connection for a closed head injury is granted as secondary to his service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's OSA and right ankle sprain are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The right knee disability is granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for rating purposes, and therefore remanded several issues including service connection for lower back disability, bilateral wrist condition, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and PFB. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which was initially rated at 20 percent prior to March 30, 2017 and now rated at 40 percent from June 2, 2017, is granted. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed low back, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities. The appeal is remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.,For PTSD prior to November 22, 2019, the Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent rating. For PTSD thereafter, the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, and back disabilities are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claim due to an inadequate VA examination in October 2019, and additional medical comment is needed regarding the severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability.