Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities of bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral ankles, right knee, and fifth metatarsal of the left foot require additional development due to a lack of updated VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip disorder and a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hip and ankle disorders and his time in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the withdrawal of his attorney as representative and hearing request. As a result, all issues on appeal are dismissed.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis has not been found to warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for more severe limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disability is denied. The case is remanded for additional development, including consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim and review of new VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for TB due to lack of current disability evidence. The claims for left knee, lumbar spine, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner's opinions were not sufficient.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as a right shoulder disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injury and continuity of symptoms are considered.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but not higher. The right elbow disorders are denied increased ratings.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various knee and hip conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability due to inadequate examination and failure to address specific aspects of the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly those related to his service. The Veteran is required to provide verification of all periods of active duty and ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA, and a VA examination must be conducted to determine if any current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, and left ankle disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of GERD was denied, and the issue of service connection for back disability and left ankle pain is remanded.,New evidence has been submitted that may support reopening the claims for back disability and left ankle pain.

The Veteran's right ankle osteoarthritis with tendonitis and sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating. The lumbosacral strain and DDD are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that all four issues are properly before it on appeal and have been remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's sarcoidosis, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% rating from January 4, 2009. The blood disorder and right ankle disorder service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for cataracts has been dismissed. Service connection for hemorrhoids, PTSD, and various other disabilities have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.