Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral foot disorders, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service experiences and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is reopened due to new and material evidence. Additional development is needed for the right ankle disability and any acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, as the range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, as it has been determined that there is no compensable limitation of flexion or extension.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand as to the issue of service connection for a left ankle disability, and thus the appeal must be remanded once again.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining records. The appeals are REMANDED.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's residuals of fractured left heel with degenerative changes of the left ankle, finding that there is marked limitation of motion. The appeal was not about service connection but rather about the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities associated with Reiter's syndrome and awarded an effective date of April 3, 1997.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain is now rated at 10 percent effective January 25, 2012. His claim for an increased rating for his postoperative residuals - right foot injury was denied.

The Board has granted a 20% disability rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability, but has remanded his claim for service connection of left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's right small finger fracture is denied a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals are now rated at 20 percent effective October 14, 2019. The Board also found that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability and posterior tibial tendonitis, is granted a separate rating of 20 percent. Service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with mast cell activation disorder, lumbar degenerative disc disease, right-hand disability, left-hand disability, and POTS are all granted. Service connection for a sleep disorder is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service. The right-hand and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Veteran's left ankle and lumbar strain disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other functional loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and evidence related to a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) claim. The right ankle arthritis evaluation and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right lung disability and a right ankle disability, both related to his service-connected left lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency and hypertension, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and a left knee disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence to link the current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at a maximum of 20 percent effective August 24, 2020. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's disabilities from September 1, 2012, to December 20, 2019.