Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected. The issues of right knee and right wrist disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2007. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's Parkinson-like symptoms are not considered to be a qualifying additional disability caused by VA medical care or treatment related to his March 2009 right ankle surgery. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of causation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral eye condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right thumb De Quervain's tenosynovitis is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for a cervical spine (neck disability), but denies service connection for bilateral upper extremity conditions, gastrointestinal disability, urethritis, and right ankle disability. Service connection for chest pain is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examinations. The appellant's knee, back, and ankle disorders are being reviewed again for proper consideration.

Service connection granted for right ankle disability and left ankle disability as secondary to service-connected right ankle disability. A 10 percent rating is granted prior to June 11, 2021, for chronic sinusitis; a separate 10 percent rating is granted for rhinitis secondary to chronic sinusitis. Service connection denied for PTSD with depressive disorder and tenosynovitis of the right hand.,Service connection established for right ankle disability due to overuse/injury during service. Left ankle disability was determined to be aggravated by right ankle condition.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection due to presumed exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The left knee and ankle disabilities are remanded for further evaluation, while the lumbosacral strain remains denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,A 10 percent rating prior to July 15, 2015, for varicose veins of the left lower extremity is granted. The appeal for a higher rating after that date is denied.,The Veteran's varicose veins are rated at 10 percent from July 15, 2015, to November 22, 2019, and denied for a higher rating thereafter.,A 40 percent rating from November 22, 2019, is denied for varicose veins of the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's right lower extremity disability is rated at 10 percent prior to November 22, 2019, and denied for a higher rating thereafter.,A 40 percent rating from November 22, 2019, is denied for varicose veins of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's right and left ankle conditions have been rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent prior to May 21, 2019. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's ratings for ligament tear of the right ankle and residuals of a left ankle sprain were reduced from 40% to 20%, effective February 1, 2016. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis in either ankle.

The claim for service connection of residuals of cold injuries (to include the bilateral feet and the right ankle) has been reopened, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the left ankle disorder claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, knee, and shoulder disorders due to incomplete development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, ankle, elbow, hand, hip, and skin disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a link to his military service.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the nature and extent of any employment during the pendency of this appeal, as well as service connection for various conditions. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ankle and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination reports addressing the Veteran's reports of flare-ups.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the service connection claims related to right heel disability, right ankle disability, headaches, left knee disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include right shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, neck, and acquired psychiatric disorders.