Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claims are still denied as there is no current disability found for these conditions.

The Veteran's partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, right knee, post-operative, with scars and instability, rated as 20 percent disabling for the rating period prior to April 20, 2022, was denied.,The Veteran's right knee, status-post surgery, partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, with limitation of motion, rated as 10 percent disabling for the rating period prior to April 20, 2022, was denied.,The Veteran's right total knee replacement is now rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2022.,The Veteran's right total ankle replacement remains rated at 40 percent since September 26, 2017.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot tarsitis and right ankle tendonitis was granted with an effective date of August 11, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to his service, specifically an in-service sprain in May 1989.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, OSA, headache disability (including as secondary to PTSD), left ankle disability, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. Claims for acid reflux, COPD, bilateral tinea pedis, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, diverticulitis, migraines, back condition, and neck condition were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete development and lack of consideration of lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded both the character of discharge issue and the right ankle disability service connection claim due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental state at the time of his misconduct.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's left ankle disability during service and its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and because of her inability to provide current contact information. The claims are related to service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, loss of feeling in the right side of face, left knee disability, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, right ankle disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability have been granted.,The VA has provided compensation for these disabilities resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of bilateral chondromalacia patella and bilateral degenerative arthritis and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the ankles, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left ankle arthritis, sleep apnea, right and left knee disabilities, left hip arthritis, lumbar spine disabilities, and PTSD with TBI.,No effective date was assigned as all claims were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right foot condition and a right ankle condition due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay assertions about his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to new evidence received since the last final decisions.,A claim for toenail fungus on the right foot is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of range of motion, but the Board has determined that additional remand is required to obtain substantial compliance with the April 2022 remand directives.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of right ankle injury remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining private treatment records and VA treatment records.