Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder. The appeals for bilateral ankle disorder and left varicocele are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a heart disability as a residual of rheumatic fever has been denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current heart disorder, and thus, service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar on the left lower extremity as a residual of a tibial/shin laceration is granted. The claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a 20 percent rating effective from April 26, 2019. The case is remanded for further development regarding entitlement to an increased rating, TDIU, and SMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and new evidence added during a period when it was not allowed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete medical opinion regarding service connection for PVD and bilateral ankle spurs. The VA needs to obtain a new, comprehensive medical opinion from a physician that addresses whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a rating increase from 20% to 40% for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a rating increase from 10% to 20% for duodenal ulcer is dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a rating increase for service-connected bursitis of the left hip is dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10% for ganglion cyst of the right hand is dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim.,The Veteran's appeal for painful limitation of motion of the left ankle is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a fractured right middle finger is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for right hip bursitis is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for atopic dermatitis is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a liver disorder is dismissed.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted service connection. The claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle strain, and tension headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The Veteran is required to provide a complete transcript of her hearing, obtain SSA records, and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations, and requests that medical opinions be provided based on available records.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records. The issue of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis will also be referred to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to clarify whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 22, 2021.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted. His obstructive sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric conditions. Right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, and right knee meniscal tear are all granted. Left knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain are granted. Low back disabilities are granted. The Veteran's lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. His bilateral plantar fasciitis rating from December 3, 2019, is increased to 50%.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle due to inadequate medical opinions. The SMC claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service. The VA must obtain updated treatment records, arrange for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner on both conditions, and consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

Service connection is granted for eczema, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, medial epicondylitis of the right elbow, rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee.,The claims for service connection for residuals of Lyme's disease or related infectious disease and a TBI or other impairment of the brain as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) are remanded.