Ankle decisions — 2022

Service connection is granted for left ankle arthritis, right elbow condition, and left elbow condition.,Service connection is granted for left ulnar neuritis. Service connection is denied for left rib condition.,Service connection is granted for lumbar spine condition.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including neck/cervical spine disability, back/thoracolumbar spine disability, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, right hand numbness, scars, recurrent right ankle sprain, right foot disability, left foot disability, right kidney disorder, and left kidney disorder. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his right and left upper extremity disorders, were granted. The TDIU claim was dismissed due to the 100% disability rating for TBI residuals.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ankle disability, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is remanded as an inadequate VA examination was conducted in 1989.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for many daily personal needs and protect himself from the hazards of his daily environment without the assistance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities, as well as her acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU issue is also being referred for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased initial rating for his left ankle disability and service connection for a bilateral knee condition are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right hand pain, sinus disability, right knee and ankle disabilities, cervical spine disability, left foot plantar fasciitis, thyroid disability, gallbladder removal with residuals, hysterectomy, and SMC based on loss of use. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions in light of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to April 6, 2022. From that date onwards, the claim for an increased rating remains pending and is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination for determining the severity of the right ankle disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the decision on the right ankle rating.

The Veteran's appendectomy scars are rated at 20 percent, and the ankle disabilities are remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

Service connection is granted for right ankle degenerative changes status post syndesmosis injury with open reduction and internal fixation, effective December 10, 2014.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability (asthma), low back disability, penile disability, and testicular disability are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and tinnitus should be remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the October 2017 Board remand. The Veteran's last known mailing address and phone number have been updated, and VA examinations are scheduled for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's ankle condition is related to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left ankle degenerative arthritis are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, with no higher ratings due to lack of ankylosis or other specific criteria.,Service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is denied as it pre-existed service. Service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent since April 28, 2000. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion during any part of the appeal period and thus denied a higher rating.