Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the exception of his claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from August 6, 2020 forward. The combined disability rating exceeded 90 percent since August 18, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to any in-service incident and outweighed by the VA opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,His left knee and ankle disorders are not found to be related to his military service, with the exception of a right knee disorder that may be secondary to his left knee disorder. The claims for left knee and ankle disorders are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not found to be related to his military service.,His right knee disorder is also not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the May 2018 remand directives and has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records from Allen Park VAMC, Detroit VAMC, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and any TRICARE records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, ankles, arms, hands, feet, and back is remanded.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been rated as 30% and 40%, respectively, effective April 7, 2020. The rating for the right ankle is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back condition, neck condition, left ankle condition, and insomnia due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle arthritis, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues have been remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of relevant medical records.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disability, a right ankle disability, and hemoptysis (coughing up blood).,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service.,Specifically, the VA examiners found no medical evidence supporting that any of these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's OSA, headaches, and right ankle fracture residuals are granted service connection as they are related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of left shoulder condition and right shoulder condition are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of left ankle injury, left heel spur as secondary to the service-connected disability of residuals of left ankle injury or GERD, and psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's left ankle instability and OSA have been granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle condition as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of such a disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is related to an in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his generalized anxiety disorder, right ankle fracture, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran will be provided with a VA Form 21-8940 for completion regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD and depression, are related to her military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities, as well as a left foot disability. The decision is based on inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right ankle disability and TDIU due to inadequate prior examinations, need for additional imaging, and need for information regarding employment history.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities are being reviewed again, along with consideration of recently amended VA criteria.