Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for gout, a foot disability (claimed as trench foot), left ankle disabilities, right ankle disabilities, left knee disabilities, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of marked limitation of motion.,For the period prior to August 23, 2017, the Veteran's low back strain disability warrants a 20 percent rating based on moderate limitation of flexion. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the evidence showing at worst forward flexion to 60 degrees with pain.,Since August 23, 2017, the Veteran's low back strain disability does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating as there is no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting specific criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and right ankle disability. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, left ankle DJD, and right heel fractures. The TDIU claim is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities, hypertension, and other conditions have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was denied due to his failure to submit requested evidence and information. The Board also remanded several service connection claims, including gout, thoracolumbar spine disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle strain and lumbar arthritis, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by marked limitation of motion, and the Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms of right hip, left hip, right lower extremity sciatica, and left lower extremity sciatica are part of her service-connected meralgia paresthetica (MP) disability. Therefore, these conditions cannot be separately service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, including osteoarthritis and lateral collateral ligament sprain, is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury in April 1988. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot tendonitis and bilateral ankle disorder (Achilles tendinitis) as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any diagnosed condition began during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The new evidence submitted since the May 2001 denial confirms that the Veteran currently suffers from these conditions.,The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion in the July 2014 VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion. The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine if a separate compensable rating is warranted for instability, and to consider the new rating criteria effective February 7, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle fracture, left shoulder dislocations with mild arthritis, and impairment of the left humerus were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's current right ankle and foot conditions. The VA examiner needs to clarify if there is a current diagnosis of a broken right ankle or any related functional impairment, as well as whether the calcaneal heel spur is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding the service connection claim for a left ankle disorder. The decision on tinnitus remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hand finger, left hand finger, right ankle, and left ankle disorders as well as a lumbar spine disorder due to additional development being required.

The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic strain in the right and left ankles, finding that the Veteran's ankle disabilities are manifested by no more than moderate limited motion.

The Board has found that additional evidence was obtained after the issuance of previous statements of the case, and thus, a supplemental statement of the case must be issued.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle condition did not have its onset in service, was not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and is not otherwise related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for a left ankle condition is denied.