Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations, obtain clarification opinions from an appropriate examiner regarding RLE radiculopathy, and ensure that all development actions have been completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disorders are rated at 10% each. The Board granted increased ratings to 20% for both ankles based on the findings of a January 2020 VA examination, which showed marked limitation of motion in both ankles.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date for service connection of his right ankle disability and right lower extremity polyneuropathy was denied as timely filed. The earlier effective dates for these conditions were not granted.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection due to Gulf War exposure. Right foot tarsitis and right ankle tendonitis, as well as bilateral eye optic atrophy and migraine headaches are all granted service connection with effective dates prior to February 20, 2014. However, the Veteran's TBI claim has been denied for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of low back, left knee, right ankle disabilities and IBS secondary to PTSD. The cases are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot and ankle disorders, as well as a back disorder secondary to those conditions. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's bilateral foot, ankle, and knee conditions are inadequate due to a lack of STRs. The claims are being remanded for new VA medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as she does not meet the eligibility criteria based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disorder due to inadequate VA examination and conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete records. The AOJ will attempt to obtain additional medical records and worker's compensation records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ankle and right knee disabilities due to insufficient reasons or bases in the original decision. The case is returned to the Board for further review, including consideration of VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to right shoulder condition, PTSD, and increased rating for left wrist disability. The remaining conditions including migraine headaches, bilateral ankle disability, and lumbar spine disability are now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's right and left foot stress fracture residuals are not rated higher than 30 percent, as there is no evidence of actual loss of use of either foot.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral hip strain, ankle strain, and calf strain, all related to the service-connected bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran's request for retroactive payment under Chapter 31, Title 38 of the United States Code, for education expenses incurred while pursuing an Associate's degree in Diesel Technology is denied. The Board found that not all conditions set forth in the regulations were met and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for entitlement to VR&E benefits during the period when he obtained the Diesel Mechanic training.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, lumbar spine, left shoulder, and left ankle disabilities has been granted. The claims of service connection for left hand disability are also granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty military service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various hip, shoulder, and ankle conditions as well as the claim for an increased disability rating for prostate cancer. The TDIU claim was also dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in November 2021 are inadequate and remands the cases for further development.