Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support these claims. The appeals are granted in part.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee and ankle disabilities, including whether they are caused or aggravated by her service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left ankle achilles rupture repair and hypertension were denied as there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset in service and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU or DEA prior to April 21, 2015. The Board denied his claims as he did not have two or more service-connected disabilities with one disability rated at 40 percent or higher and his combined rating being 70 percent or higher.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record and remands several issues for further review, including service connection claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right eye disorder, heart disability, nasal disability, and left ankle sprain were denied. The heart disability was granted with a 10 percent rating initially, but the claim remains pending as only part of the benefit sought has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for cold injury residuals affecting the feet and right ankle. The Veteran's symptoms of pain, instability, and nerve damage need to be addressed in a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right eye disability, left eye disability, cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, and erectile dysfunction. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these service connection issues.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain and left wrist strain have been rated as noncompensable since July 19, 2016. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,The Veteran's right ankle collateral ligament sprain and left ankle collateral ligament sprain have also been rated as noncompensable since July 19, 2016. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Reduction of compensation benefits to 10% due to incarceration is upheld.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his sleep impairment, are being reviewed again to ensure they are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is granted as service connection was established due to aggravation during active service.,Service connection for a low back disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.,Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and readjudication due to issues with the hearing transcript, a failure to discuss service connection based on aggravation of pre-existing pes planus, and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, a right foot condition, and varicose veins of the right leg are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete verification of her National Guard service records.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disorders, as well as his left and right ankle disorders, are granted with a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and housebound rate for SMC.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and back disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active service.