Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include neck, ankle, foot, leg, back, and respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residual scars of the left ankle was denied as his scars were not painful or unstable and did not affect an area of at least 6 square inches (39 square centimeters).,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for status post bimalleolar fracture with traumatic arthritis, left ankle was also denied. The most probative evidence does not reach the level of equipoise as to whether his condition manifested functional impairment to the extent that higher staged ratings may be assigned at any point during the rating period.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, right hip strain (trochanteric bursitis), left hip strain (trochanteric bursitis), and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis was denied as the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records, worsening of symptoms since previous examinations, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical examinations and conflicting evidence regarding certain conditions. The Veteran will be provided with new examinations for his service-connected neck, low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PFB, left knee disability, right knee disability, sleep apnea, IBS, acid reflux disability, hemorrhoids, low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, pes planus, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, left ankle tendonitis, and sleep apnea. Service connection for a left wrist disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in some areas. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, undergo examinations, and provide a nexus opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tendinosis and arthritis of the right ankle, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. Service connection was denied for neuropathy of the left leg.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture and service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to residuals of a left ankle fracture, are remanded due to incomplete development. The effective date issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with shin splints is rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating, and her left shin splints are rated at a 10 percent disability rating. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability and has remanded issues related to service connection for low back, left hip, and left ankle disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increase in SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral leg disability (including as secondary to service-connected disabilities), and left ankle disability (including as secondary to service-connected disabilities) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations and possibly more private medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a right ankle disability, all secondary to service-connected bilateral heel calcaneal stress fractures. The VA is instructed to provide an advisory medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting entitlement to TDIU. The issues of service connection for left knee and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's right knee and right ankle traumatic arthritis, including any additional functional impairment during flare-ups and after repeated use over time. The examiner will also determine if these disabilities played a role in the Veteran's fall risk problems.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate July 2017 VA medical examination and opinion, which did not provide a well-reasoned explanation for the findings regarding left lower extremity numbness. The Veteran's claim is now pending with instructions to obtain a new examination.

The Board has denied service connection for neck, back and right ankle disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability.,Service connection was also denied for a left ankle disorder (strain).

The Board denied service connection for meralgia paresthetica of the left lateral cutaneous nerve and right ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.