Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right ankle disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to October 22, 2021. From that date forward, the rating has been increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and insomnia disorder (claimed as PTSD) were granted service connection, but the effective dates are denied due to lack of prior claims.,A disability rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to unclear examination reports and lack of contemporaneous medical evidence.

The Veteran's ankle condition was rated at 10 percent prior to December 13, 2021 and granted a 20 percent rating effective from that date. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an eye disability (large optic cups) are remanded.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease, which is the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left shoulder sprain and left ankle sprain were denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries. The decision also denied service connection for a peripheral vestibular disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and readjudication of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, mental health condition, right ankle disability, left knee disability, headaches, and sleep apnea is denied. Service connection is granted for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine if any current left ankle disability is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to higher initial ratings for the service-connected left shoulder and right ankle disabilities. The reasons are that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding additional functional loss during flare-ups and estimating range of motion loss, or explaining why such an estimate is not possible.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disorders are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD), headaches, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple knee and ankle conditions, as well as hypertension, are being remanded to the RO for initial consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of various joints prior to September 27, 2002 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all claims related to gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hallux rigidus, residuals of bilateral leg stress fracture, bilateral ankle disorders, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and tinea pedis due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's symptoms have been linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left ankle condition, left wrist condition, right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis due to additional relevant evidence since the last VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, right ankle disability, and left hand disability. The evidence did not show the presence of a current disability in any of these areas.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of June 19, 2006 for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities that require regular aid and assistance.