Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's skin disability is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities are remanded as the VA examinations/opinions were found to be inadequate.

The Board has decided that service connection is denied for a bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and right shoulder tendonitis. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the right shoulder tendonitis.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease and left ankle condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest in active duty or within one year of separation from active duty and are not otherwise attributable to active duty service.,The decision also noted that there is no evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral eye, knee, lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, right ankle, and left ankle conditions. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure has been dismissed.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, and the initial rating for right ankle degenerative joint disease remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle and shoulder disabilities are granted as service-connected. The disabilities were found to be at least as likely as not incurred or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and posterior facet joint arthropathy are granted as service-connected. The right ankle, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, right shoulder disability (other than right upper extremity radiculopathy), left shoulder disability (other than left upper extremity radiculopathy and residuals of stab wound), respiratory disability (to include asbestosis), and hemorrhoids are all remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right foot conditions due to missing VA medical records and a need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded several claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates, including those related to the Veteran's right hip, ankle, and fibromyalgia conditions. The issues are intertwined with each other.

The Board denied service connection for blood clots and increased ratings for left ankle disability, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, left shoulder disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's conditions were not found to meet the criteria for ankylosis in any of these cases.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development of records and a supplemental opinion, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the veteran's current right ankle disability was caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including left shoulder and ankle disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability. The issues include determining appropriate functional loss due to pain or other symptoms during flare-ups or with repeated use, as well as assessing whether there are any incapacitating episodes associated with these conditions.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective June 24, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his initial period of active duty military service or any other service-connected conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability was not caused by or aggravated by his claimed service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a new examination to assess his left ankle disability and opinions regarding secondary service connection for right ankle, bilateral knee, and low back disabilities. The appeals are REMANDED.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to worsening of his ankle disabilities and ineligibility for TDIU based on his service-connected conditions. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right and left ankle disabilities, including any flare-ups.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is rated at 10 percent prior to May 21, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter. The right knee conditions are both rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle muscle injury as there is no current evidence of such an injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right elbow disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran must undergo new VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease.