Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to July 18, 2019 and granted a 30 percent rating from that date. The case is being remanded for further action on the total disability based on unemployability claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of sinusitis and concluded that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service duties.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, left wrist, right wrist, left hip, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions in the March 2019 examination report.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disability pre-existed service and if it was aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities. The case is being returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's cataracts were denied as the evidence did not show that they began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The chloracne was granted as it became manifest within one year of his separation from service and is presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Asbestosis and COPD were both denied as there was no evidence showing that the conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical strain and right ankle strain are denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his service-connected conditions, as he did not have ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder and physical conditions like sleep apnea, headaches, joint pain, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 28, 2014 to June 6, 2016.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is granted a 20% rating from March 8, 2016. His initial ratings for IVDS and radiculopathy are granted as requested. TDIU is granted from January 16, 2013 to March 8, 2016. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right elbow condition, right ear hearing loss, and right ankle condition due to inadequate VA examinations. The new examinations are needed to address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee disabilities, due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot arthrosis with plantar fasciitis is alleged to have caused or aggravated his current ankle and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture is rated at 20 percent disabling, the maximum schedular rating for limited motion of the ankle. The Board denied a higher rating and also denied TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal issues, respiratory disability (COPD), bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New evidence has reopened the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, foot, and ankle conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,The Veteran's right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and TDIU is granted based on the combined effect of multiple disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current disability is more likely due to a fall in 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle arthritis as secondary to a service-connected right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis. Service connection for the low back disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to insufficient examination findings and lack of consideration of certain factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current right ankle disability is not related to his period of active duty service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left shoulder, right foot, and left foot bone spurs.