Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were of sufficient severity to have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to his death, leading to a TDIU being granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The VA examiners found that there was not substantial compliance with prior remand directives and need to provide updated opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations. The new examination must consider continuity of symptoms, use the correct standard for aggravation (any increase), and provide a rationale for each opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic left ankle sprain was denied in October 1991 and again in October 2008. The Board found that the claims were not timely filed, leading to final decisions. A new claim was submitted on September 14, 2015, which became the effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the need for updated information on its current severity, potential ankylosis, and whether it constitutes loss of use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left foot/ankle disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to service or to his service-connected right foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral wrist condition, lumbar spine condition, right ankle condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia) due to incomplete service records and inadequate nexus opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability. However, these issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not considered in need of such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and right ankle. The decision is based on the need for additional VA treatment records related to these conditions.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left ankle instability and her right ankle disorder. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right ankle disorder and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar disc herniation, stenosis, and radiculopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder bursitis, right ankle disability, low back disability, cervical spine disability, right hamstring tear, right metatarsal disability, sinusitis, and allergies with chronic hoarseness due to incomplete VA nexus opinion and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The case will be further reviewed after additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities, bilateral hip and ankle disabilities, and prostate disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Board finds that these claims are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran was found to be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities from November 1, 2010 through June 6, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU for this period based on the combined disability rating of at least 70%.

The Veteran's left ankle and foot disabilities have been rated as 10 percent each, effective February 23, 2012. The Board finds that the current ratings are appropriate given the limited range of motion in both ankles.