Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle weakness and instability, as well as low back disorder (degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease), finding no link between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, upper GI disorder, left shoulder disorder, right hand disorder, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder are all subject to review.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle strains, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not due to her active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and left ankle disorders, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and clarification of her diagnoses, etiology, and symptomatology. The issues include service connection for various eye disabilities, heat exhaustion residuals, psychiatric disorders other than PTSD (including somatization disorder), frostbite, TBI, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis and a post-convalescent rating in excess of 30 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis with residuals, status post joint fusion and ankylosis due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis and marked limitation of motion has been denied by the Board. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as her service connection claims for a bilateral ankle condition (presumed due to Gulf War exposure) and left knee condition are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma was denied. The left ankle disability was granted a 20% rating prior to December 11, 2019.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's left ankle disability is not rated greater than 20%

The Veteran's Reiter's syndrome, including its associated conditions such as iritis, prostatitis, degenerative joint disease of the feet and hands, and IBS, is rated at 100% for the initial rating period from January 1, 2009 to September 27, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals of the left and right feet, as well as a right ankle disability. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left ankle disability has been reopened. The initial rating for pansinusitis prior to June 3, 2011 is denied as there are no polyps. The chronic sinusitis from June 3, 2011 onwards remains at a 50% rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, and remanded the issues related to gout, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the ankles, feet, right hand, and right wrist. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs were denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent for the right ankle was appropriate, as well as a 30 percent rating for the bilateral foot condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for unspecified skin condition, right and left ankle disabilities, lower back pain, right shoulder injury, and left shoulder injury due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right ankle and back disabilities has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further development, including a VA examination for service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right ankle condition, including ankylosis. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain was granted a 30% rating effective January 30, 2020.,The Veteran's lumbar spinal arthritis with IVDS was granted a 40% rating effective September 20, 2017.