Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current nature and etiology of his service-connected condition, including instability issues.,Bilateral knee conditions are also being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if they are related to the service-connected right ankle disability or if they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his right ankle sprain was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left hand disorder, as secondary to his right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 16, 2009, for the assignment of a 10 percent initial evaluation for service-connected posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle is denied. The claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of October 15, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart condition), diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disability, cervical spine disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and right knee disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service for these conditions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance (A&A), beginning March 9, 2015. The Veteran's need for A&A began on that date due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left ankle sprain-remote due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate VA examinations prior to the June 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are remanded due to his allegation of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a January 1969 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints due to conflicting medical opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for tinnitus, migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (both legs), right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and chronic left ankle pain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is also service connected.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral rib disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims as her conditions were not related to active service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for further examination and rating, and the TDIU claim prior to October 1, 2019, is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide releases for non-VA care providers and obtain any relevant records from VA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need to obtain a death certificate or other credible/official information confirming the Veteran's passing.

The appeal with respect to the right foot disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left hand, right hand, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to notification issues and because of evidence indicating a worsening of the disorders since previous examinations conducted several years ago.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his healed left ankle fracture with residual mild traumatic arthropathy was granted. The appeal for service connection of a left knee disorder was denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has not been manifested by marked limitation of motion, and the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new rating criteria.