Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled DRO hearing. The remaining issues are still under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination reports and a need for an updated VA examination. The Veteran's right ankle disability is still rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right hip and knee conditions due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the low back claim. The VA must examine whether any neurological abnormalities are attributable to the low back, and if so, whether there is a separate disability of the right hip or knee causing pain with functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service physical duties, including playing war games while wearing rucksacks and heavy gear.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right elbow, right wrist, and left ankle disorders. The preponderance of the evidence does not demonstrate a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records from a correctional facility where the Veteran was incarcerated during the appellate period.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right foot myofascial syndrome (also diagnosed as right foot pes planus) prior to November 25, 2019 is denied. The Veteran's left ankle disability secondary to the service-connected right foot disability and TDIU are remanded.,The decision on these issues will be deferred until a final determination can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and left ankle disabilities due to lack of substantial compliance with its previous instructions.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's right ankle sprain and dislocation, status-post surgery with scar, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle fracture and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis due to inadequate VA examination reports. Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his muscle tension headaches prior to November 15, 2010 and from that date onwards. His wrist sprain, ankle disability, thoracic outlet syndrome of the right shoulder and neck, and residuals of a right knee injury status-post lysis of plica were all denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right ankle strain residuals from April 22, 2010 to July 9, 2015 due to insufficient explanation regarding limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle condition, which is currently service-connected as secondary to his right ankle condition. The Veteran contends that his left ankle disability began during active service and was caused by a fall in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further action is required.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of the 40 percent rating assigned under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of right knee extension, effective May 1, 2010, is granted. The appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left hip, right hip, left ankle, and right ankle are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 12, 2010.

The Veteran's migraines, cervical spine degenerative changes, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, right elbow epicondylitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right ankle strain have been granted higher initial disability ratings. The Veteran also received a 20 percent disability rating for left ankle degenerative changes, residual from left fibula fracture.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding treatment records from K.P. Emergency Room not being uploaded into the file or adjudicated.