Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected foot and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate reasons or bases provided by the Board in its February 2019 decision. The issues include DJD of the left and right feet and ankles, as well as TTS of the same areas.

The Veteran's chronic left ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under DC 5271. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as there was no evidence of marked limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further clarification on whether the Veteran's current right ankle conditions are related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot myofascial syndrome. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran not meeting schedular criteria and insufficient evidence of unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition and bilateral foot calluses, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service.,The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for direct service connection as they are not linked to his active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected right forearm and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding ionizing radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's bilateral ankle, knee, hip, and low back disabilities are related to his active service, including ionizing radiation exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to November 29, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities and lack of substantial confinement.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was previously rated at 20% prior to July 22, 2014 and increased to 40% thereafter. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability, back disability, right ankle disability, and arthritis due to inadequate examination reports that did not consider the Veteran’s lay statements about his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's right humerus disability was noted at entrance to service and preexisted service. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's pilonidal cyst, as it is related to service.

The Board has found that remand is necessary to obtain new medical opinions regarding the service connection of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, as they are related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of left foot disorder and left ankle disorder, as well as migraine headaches, are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

Your claims for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these claims before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim is denied. The Board found that he can still find gainful employment despite his disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for lower back disability, right ankle disability, left knee osteoarthritis, status post meniscectomy of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The Veteran was also referred for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and no higher. The appeal for a greater rating has been denied.