Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's COPD and lumbar spine disability were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The Board finds the VA examiners' opinions to be highly probative.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity arthritis/tendonitis and headaches are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his period of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right ankle disorder as a residual of a right fifth metatarsal fracture, both found to be related to service.,Both conditions were initially denied in March 2014 but reopened due to new evidence. The claims are now considered granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain, bilateral hip strain, and dermatitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Veteran's conditions are considered MUCMIs (Medically Unexplained Chronic Multi-Symptom Illnesses).

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted. The rating issues related to his knees and lower extremities, as well as his left eye disabilities, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disease with spinal stenosis and right ankle disability were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings in several conditions, including left sided sciatica radiculopathy and sinusitis. The Veteran's lumbar spine scar and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted initial compensable ratings, while his spermatocele (status post vasectomy) and right ankle sprain with instability were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding his ankle, foot, knee, and TDIU disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for various conditions, including left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, TBI, cerebellar ataxia, loss of equilibrium and balance due to radiation exposure, low immune system (claimed as other residuals from radiation exposure), irritable colon syndrome, and occasional headaches (claimed as other residuals of radiation exposure).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for pes planus, gout, an ankle/foot disorder and a knee disability due to VA treatment in April 2007, finding no fault on VA's part or unforeseeable event.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder was not caused by any in-service injury, disease, or event; has not existed continuously since service; did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation; and is not related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by a sprain and degenerative joint disease, was evaluated at 20 percent since September 23, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of limitation in motion.

The Board vacated the November 18, 2021 decision denying service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The appeal is now considered reopened and will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, a right ankle disability, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, bilateral ankles, and arthritis of his entire body. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for right ankle disability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

Effective dates of December 30, 2010 for service connection were granted for left ankle traumatic arthritis and anterior talofibular ligament tear residuals, right ankle traumatic arthritis, right knee instability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee instability. Effective date of May 7, 2012 was granted for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including tendonitis and ankle instability, is currently rated at 20 percent from July 1, 2013. The claim for a higher rating remains pending as the issue of increased rating for neuropathy has been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for torn Achilles tendon of the right heel, status post tear of the fibula collateral ligaments of the right ankle (claimed as torn Achilles of the right heel), and degenerative arthritis of the right foot due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship with service.,There is no credible evidence that the Veteran currently has any of these conditions. The Board found her reports of continuous symptoms since service were not credible, and there was no medical opinion linking her current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle and foot disabilities have been granted separate ratings, effective July 28, 2015. The left and right ankle disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, while the left and right foot disabilities are rated at 30 percent each.,The Veteran was also granted a TDIU effective July 28, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development regarding service connection for right ankle and right foot disabilities, as well as the cause of the Veteran's death.