Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the hands, right ankle disorder, and bilateral leg condition are being remanded due to missing service treatment records.,No current disability has been established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if she was eligible for concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation, which would affect the withholding of her VA compensation benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete sentences and lack of clarity in the September 2021 opinion, as well as the need for clarification on the impact of ameliorative medication. The Veteran is also required to submit a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective opinions from the July 2022 VA examiner regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability throughout the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to go out when he wishes, lack of blindness or residence in a nursing home, and inability to require regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to delays in scheduling VA examinations, and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, right ankle and hip/knee disabilities, and a sleep disability. The issues are related to whether these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's military service or other previously service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as a presumptive disorder related to active military service.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted as permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an adequate retrospective opinion on functional ankylosis and a full review of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as a back condition. The claims are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and the possibility of additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD and TBI residuals has been denied. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, chronic depression and anxiety, and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a low back disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, or blurred vision that had onset during service and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot conditions other than pes planus and left foot strain, right and left foot plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia and left foot Morton's neuroma. The Veteran is not shown to have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are granted service connection, but his left ankle and right heel disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding potential radiation exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, right upper extremity neuropathy, urinary dysfunction, asthma, and various knee and ankle disorders, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for Hepatitis C has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the issuance of a decision.,The claims for low back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disorders have been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for shrapnel wound, left ankle, muscle group XII; left ankle, residuals of shrapnel wound; and residual of shrapnel wound, right foot are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.,The Veteran is currently receiving separate 30 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted as service connected, with the condition being directly related to his in-service beta strep infection.,There is no current evidence of a left ankle abrasion for VA purposes. The Veteran's left ankle cellulitis is also denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for surgical scars of the abdomen was denied as there was no evidence of such scars during service or linked to his military service.,The Veteran's right knee medial collateral ligament sprain with mild instability and limitation of flexion were not rated higher than 10 percent, as they did not meet criteria for more severe conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a left ankle disorder and bilateral foot disorders due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to decision.