Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right foot disability, a right ankle disability, and chest pain have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and a bilateral ankle condition, other than chronic residuals of gout. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his left shoulder and left ankle disabilities have been denied. The current ratings of 20 percent for the left shoulder and 10 percent for the left ankle are not considered more than adequate based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's chronic right and left ankle sprains are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding requests and lack of proper communication regarding a DRO hearing.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for left ankle malunion, post crush injury with post traumatic arthritis. The Veteran does not have ankylosis of the left ankle and his disability is characterized by moderate incomplete paralysis of the posterior tibial nerve.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings higher than 10 percent for left and right ankle strain residuals due to a lack of an adequate retrospective medical opinion.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed joints, and the Veteran's reported symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for colon cancer and denied vitamin D deficiency. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral ankle strain was also denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or current disability.

The Veteran's right fibula fracture and associated ankle limitation of motion are rated at 20 percent from September 24, 2013 to December 17, 2014. The claim for a higher rating prior to October 8, 2019 is denied as the disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back spine disability and right ankle disability has been submitted. The claims are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, particularly his lower back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, loss of feeling of the right hand disability, loss of feeling of the left hand disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral knees, bilateral ankles, and bilateral hands due to insufficient medical opinions in the record.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for aplastic anemia and ventral hernia have been withdrawn. The appeal to reopen his claim of arthritis of the joints has been granted, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for left ankle disability, migraine headaches, or acquired psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's current headache disability has been found to be secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability and associated numbness and weakness is granted, with a separate 20% rating effective from April 23, 2013. The maximum schedular ratings are assigned.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and TDIU claim are being remanded for further development, including an updated examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back, shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle, and groin conditions. The case is being remanded to schedule VA examinations and obtain pertinent medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, to include a chronic left ankle sprain. The right ankle and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.