Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has found that further development of the record is necessary for proper adjudication of these claims, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being remanded to allow for a determination on their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated septum and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying whether certain conditions are related to the service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition other than sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, as well as his right wrist disorder and bilateral ankle conditions. The evidence did not support separate diagnoses or a causal link to service.,The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against finding that the Veteran had a separately diagnosable respiratory condition other than his service-connected sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, and denied his claims for right wrist disorder and bilateral ankle conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability and denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve. However, several issues remain unresolved and need to be remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for instability and swelling of the left ankle, instability and swelling of the right ankle, and bilateral shin splints.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection. The left hip, right ankle, and knee disorders have not been found to be related to service.,Obstructive sleep apnea was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is granted as service connected. The right and left ankle disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right hip disorders, as well as left and right ankle disorders, all secondary to service-connected bilateral plantar callus formation. The issues are being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for an addendum opinion addressing lay testimony of chronic symptoms since service.

The Veteran's left knee instability is now rated at 20 percent effective February 7, 2021. All other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip degenerative joint disease and left ankle sprain prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 4, 2017. The Board has granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) disease and bilateral ankle disability as secondary to CMT, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and evaluation, including a review of her medications' impact on her symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for a right ankle disability. The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service and denied the claim of a right ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle arthritis/gout, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's hypertension, right-hand disorder, left-hand disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder are not related to his military service.,The Veteran does not have a current groin area strain for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The initial rating for his left ankle disability remains denied.