Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has not addressed the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, as a VA examination is needed to determine if PTSD or another diagnosed condition is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than March 18, 2004 for service connection of patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and left knee, as well as a right ankle sprain, have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 7, 2013 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle strain and tendinitis, thoracolumbar spine disability, and residuals of malaria. The issues related to hypertension, liver disorder, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, varicose veins, lymphadenopathy, right hand disability, left hand disability, left hip disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and skin disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity varicosities, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the issues of service connection for these conditions will be addressed.

The Veteran's low back and left ankle disabilities were not incurred in service, and the Board dismissed the appeals for these issues.

The Veteran's right wrist scar and ischemic heart disease are not rated higher. The Board has remanded the issues of initial higher ratings for these conditions, as well as the issue of a TDIU prior to September 17, 2010.

The Veteran's thoracic strain, headaches, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left hand disability, right hand disability, and left knee disability are granted. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, and heart disability (BAV disease) are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability but has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at a combined 80 percent and 90 percent from October 17, 2017. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period. However, the claims for increase in right ankle disability and SMC for loss of use of the right foot remain pending as they were not fully adjudicated.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the examination report and lack of information regarding flare-ups. The Veteran's left ankle condition, including leg shortening and neurological residuals, will need to be evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee, ankle, and pes planus disabilities due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a separate compensable rating for his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for rating purposes and the need for additional treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left ankle, right ankle, and erectile dysfunction disabilities. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and secondary service connection for her right ankle and knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for updated examinations, treatment records, and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left ankle disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee torn ACL including meniscus tear, left ankle disability, right wrist disability, tinnitus, and right knee disability. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and left ankle disability due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for all three conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for right ankle arthralgia status post right ankle surgery was denied. The Board has remanded the case to address the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder.,A VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's left knee strain had its onset during service or is related to an injury during service, and if so, whether it has been aggravated by his right ankle disability.