Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on the use of a right foot orthotic device was denied because there is no record of him using such an orthotic in 2020 or 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right leg disabilities and psychiatric condition, require regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining retrospective opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and VA range of motion measurements.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle conditions due to a lack of VA examinations and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's lay testimony will be considered in determining whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right ankle fracture and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,Service connection was not granted for either condition due to lack of credible medical evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture and left rhomboid muscle strain are currently rated, but the Board has remanded for further evaluation of his left rhomboid muscle strain. The dermatitis is noncompensable.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to a lack of medical evidence on file for determining the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The claims are REMANDED for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, hip disability, and muscle weakness due to post-polio syndrome. The claims are inextricably intertwined as they all stem from post-polio syndrome.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is granted service connection, and an increased disability rating of 40 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disorder (including arrhythmia and ischemic heart disease), and left ankle strain due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for diarrhea (IBS) and a left ankle condition, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ankle and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete STRs and inadequate etiology opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, right knee disability, and left eye cataract as there is no evidence of current disabilities or causation during service.,There are no indications of any chronic conditions related to the Veteran's ankles or knees that would allow for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen her claims.,The Veteran is still required to provide additional evidence to substantiate her claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, left ankle disability (to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities), and depression (to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of residuals of an insect bite, gastrointestinal disability characterized by abdominal pains, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, respiratory disability, right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and increased rating for chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis of the right knee have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, right elbow, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to incomplete evidentiary development.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is related to her active duty service and has been granted.,Other conditions, including right ankle, bilateral hip, knee, and back conditions, as well as migraine headaches and HTN, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development in both the left shoulder and left ankle disability claims due to inadequate examinations.

Your appeals for service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral ankle, and left shin disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.