Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that his current left ankle disorders were proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis, diabetes mellitus type II, or psoriatic arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve the anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, nor do they cause him to be permanently bedridden or render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection in multiple conditions have been granted. The effective dates are not specified, and the ratings assigned are also not provided.

The Board determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left ankle disorder, neck disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, left-sided neurological disorder, left shoulder disorder, left arm disorder, right arm disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder, right leg disorder, and back disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right elbow, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during active duty or related to in-service injuries.,Service connection was also denied for left hip, right hip, right knee, and left foot disabilities due to lack of a causal relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of consideration of additional National Guard service and conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran is to be afforded new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee disabilities, including patellofemoral syndrome, and left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, left shoulder, and lumbar disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle and bilateral knee conditions. The claim for blood clots was withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hallux valgus and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral foot numbness and bilateral knee disorder. However, both issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, PTSD, headache disorder, left ankle and knee disorders, and shoulder disorders. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder may be related to his military service, but the Board needs to verify all periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training from May 1986 to May 2012. Additionally, they need to obtain any Army Reserve service records.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left ankle and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board also remanded several service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a right ankle disorder, have been denied by the Board. The current assigned ratings are under Diagnostic Codes (DCs) that address limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, left ankle condition, low back condition, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a condition of the bilateral feet other than pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There was no medical opinion linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for his right hip degenerative joint disease and bursitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and OSA. The appeals for asthma, rhinitis, right knee disorder, sinusitis, and right ankle disorder are dismissed as the benefits sought have already been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure or secondary service connection, and that there was no persuasive evidence showing that the Veteran's disabilities were related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, but only beginning December 16, 2020. TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of multiple conditions, including back disability, neck disability, shoulder disabilities, knee disabilities, calf disabilities, and ankle disabilities. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any right ankle, right leg, and right foot disorders (other than pes planus) and sinusitis/allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's service treatment records show relevant medical history and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied, and his request for an increased evaluation of the left ankle disability from March 5, 2014, was granted with a rating of 20 percent.