Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than an anxiety disorder, is found to be related to service. The low back disability and left ankle disability are remanded for further examination and opinion. The cervical spine disability claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left hip disabilities. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether current left foot and ankle problems are related to a 1997 incident during active duty service.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and medical opinions obtained in relation to the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are inadequate, and thus remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the cases of asthma, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability for further development due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left foot and ankle surgical scar prior to February 2, 2021 is denied.,A higher than 10 percent rating for left ankle limitation of motion prior to March 6, 2017 is denied. A 20 percent rating for this condition effective March 6, 2017 is granted.

A rating of 20 percent for left hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited flexion, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,A rating of 10 percent for left hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited extension, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited flexion, prior to April 20, 2015, is denied.,A rating of 10 percent for right hip strain with osteoarthritis, limited extension, prior to April 20, 2015, is granted.,Restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for status post right ankle reconstruction with residual scar is granted, effective February 21, 2014.,Restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for lateral collateral ligament instability, left knee is granted, effective February 21, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD and several musculoskeletal issues, are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for a higher rating for service-connected lumbar strain due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The right ankle sprain claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left ankle traumatic arthritis due to insufficient clarification from the VA examiner regarding whether the service-connected left ankle disability caused or aggravated these other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various knee and gastritis disabilities, as well as a right ankle disability. The Veteran's VA treatment records from May 2019 to the present are requested, along with his Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and ankle disabilities due to incomplete examination reports. The claims will be reviewed again with additional opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran has withdrawn all claims on appeal, including those related to joint pains, bilateral hearing loss disability, TBI residuals, psoriasis, and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals as the Veteran's attorney requested withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a retrospective medical opinion regarding his right ankle disability. The issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected residuals of a right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease and scars, status post ankle fusion surgery, and entitlement to a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to March 15, 2014, are now before the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases will be further evaluated by VA medical professionals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected scars were denied throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's right hand and left ankle disabilities, including cold injury residuals, and his service. The Veteran's STRs do not indicate any cold injuries or related symptoms during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations regarding his claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations, and additional development is needed including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.