Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or continuity of symptomatology. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. A separate 10% rating was granted from January 25, 2019.,Right ankle and left ankle disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating under current VA regulations.,The Veteran's right foot disability has been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. No higher rating is warranted due to lack of evidence of more severe impairment.,The Veteran's left foot disability has also been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. No higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) as secondary to PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD has also been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, posterior tibialis tenosynovitis of the right ankle, and arthritis of the right knee have been granted. The kidney condition is secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn for several conditions, including hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition. The claims for varicose veins, lower back condition, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain are granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lower back condition is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and right ankle disorders due to additional development being required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right and left ankle/foot disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected back disability. The VA needs to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ankle disability have been granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a pilonidal cyst.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left ankle and right shoulder disorders due to additional medical inquiry.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his left ankle, low back, and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle disability, bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, and migraines is remanded due to new evidence submitted. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture with residuals of post-traumatic arthritis is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective prior to May 20, 2010. The right knee chondromalacia patella with painful pica band and early arthritis, as well as the left knee instability and total replacement are also rated based on their respective conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, right ankle disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since September 1, 2017. Effective September 1, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the case, and thus has no jurisdiction to make a decision.