Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder is granted. The Board also grants a 40 percent rating for the service-connected degenerative disc disease status post fusion, effective April 30, 2012. However, the issue of increased rating higher than 20 percent for the service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lateral collateral and deltoid ligament sprains and chronic tendonitis of the left ankle is granted. The Board has also remanded claims for neck, back, left foot, and bilateral leg disorders due to insufficient examination records.

The Veteran's right ankle and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,For the cervical spine DDD, a separate rating of at least 10 percent for radiculopathy in the left upper extremity is granted. For the lumbar spine DDD, a separate rating of at least 10 percent for radiculopathy in the left lower extremity is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and medical opinions to determine the severity of his low back, right ankle, right knee, and bilateral feet disabilities. The claims are not currently decided on service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle/Achilles condition secondary to the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle and/or foot disabilities. The issue is whether these conditions are related to service, with particular focus on pes planus.

The appeal for service connection of various disabilities, including a right lower extremity disability, has been dismissed as the Veteran's claim was granted in full. The remaining issues have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. Her claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a miscarriage is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and lumbar spine disorder were denied as they are not shown to be causally related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to lack of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical review and nexus opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The clinician is asked to provide an opinion based on at least 50 percent probability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids and tinnitus are granted. The Board finds the Veteran has current disabilities, in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, and continuous disability since service. Service connection is also granted for left ankle disability. However, the Board remands the cases for additional development regarding left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, epistaxis (nosebleeds), right ankle sprain, left elbow skin disorder, a left foot disorder, right side rib contusion, an external canal occlusion, and headaches.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding service connection for gallbladder condition, sleep condition, groin condition, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral foot condition has been dismissed due to withdrawal by his attorney.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, and cataracts (claimed as an eye disability) have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's right ankle disability prior to August 28, 2018, based on marked limitation of motion. The appeal was denied for an evaluation higher than 10 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection claims related to various conditions, including right and left ankle sprains, sinusitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, blisters on the feet, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, sciatica, upper respiratory infection, alopecia, hair implants, DJD of the hip, lumbar spine DDD, and hearing loss. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided were inadequate for the purpose of resolving the appealed issues. The Veteran's gout, diabetes mellitus, type II, and stroke are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left ankle disability claim was remanded due to inconsistencies in the previous VA examinations and electrodiagnostic testing. The case is being returned for an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran has drop foot or any neurological deficiency affecting his left ankle, and if so, whether it is related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for left ankle arthritis were denied, while his claim for TDIU was granted subject to certain conditions.