Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for neck, left ankle, and low back conditions have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for migraines has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to outstanding SSA records, an inadequate VA examination regarding his left knee condition, and incomplete medical opinions on secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle strain/sprain, Achilles tendonitis, and lateral collateral ligament sprain. Service connection was denied for cardiac disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot condition but has remanded the issues of service connection for right leg, left leg, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, and toe conditions due to lack of evidence in the claims file.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the period prior to December 20, 2019. For the period beginning December 20, 2019, the claim is denied as there is no evidence of marked limited motion.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left ear hearing loss, right ankle disorder, hip strains, restless leg syndromes, vascular disease, edema/varicose veins, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia. The decision also noted that the Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted at a 50% rating for the initial period from June 24, 2011 to September 13, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for upper back, right ankle, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.,Further development is needed to determine if any of these disabilities are related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle fracture residuals and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or noise exposure that could be linked to the current disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, shoulder, and hip disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding no evidence that his current condition began during or is related to his period of service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right ankle disabilities, and a heart disability. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit any SSA medical records in his possession.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups of the Veteran's left ankle disability. The VA examiner was unable to provide an estimate of range of motion during flare-ups without resorting to speculation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions and additional evidence is needed.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating decisions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for treatment purposes under Chapter 17 for a right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence of current disabilities.,The issues of service connection for TBI, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left ankle condition and back disorder due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service-connected injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including jumping from aircraft during service.

The Veteran's request for a restoration of a 20% rating for his right ankle injury, to include degenerative changes, as of July 1, 2010, is granted. A rating in excess of 20% for the same condition remains denied.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain was granted a higher initial rating from 10% to 30%, effective June 6, 2016. Service connection for left inguinal hernia and other secondary service connection claims were denied.