Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has granted a separate rating of 10 percent for right ankle disability based on limited motion. The issues of ratings in excess of 10 percent, and for right achilles tendinosis, mild tendinosis of the flexor hallucis longus tendon with tenosynovitis, and varicose veins secondary to right ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection for PTSD, costochondritis, back condition, hearing loss, abdominal pain, hemorrhoids, traumatic brain injury (TBI), left ankle condition, and right knee strain. The Veteran's VA generated evidence will be reviewed in a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, back disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, right ankle disability, hepatitis C, and arthritis. The evidence did not show a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied service connection claims for fallen arches and right knee condition was granted.,Service connection for skin rash, bilateral flat feet, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, right ankle tendonitis, and left ankle tendonitis is also granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right foot disability warrants a 30 percent evaluation, and his painful right foot scar warrants a 10 percent evaluation. The right ankle strain issue is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. Additional VA medical opinions are needed to address causation and aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left ankle fracture and remanded the issues of increased rating for bronchial asthma and TDIU.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected left ankle and bilateral knee disabilities. The initial evaluations for the left shoulder, left and right knees are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim. The Board concluded that the Veteran's current ankle disorders are less likely related to his military service or to his service-connected back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to incomplete records and need for new examinations. The issues of service connection for sacroiliitis, left hip disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities are being addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to difficulties in scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran is asked to provide her contact information and attend the requested VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle disability and cervical spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower lumbar spine and left ankle conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The claims of service connection for residuals of left ankle sprain and left hand disorder are not reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from August 10, 2009, to July 24, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are now rated at 50 percent, effective throughout the appeal period.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder did not cause or aggravate his cannabis use disorder.,For the period prior to June 13, 2015, the Veteran's left knee flexion was not limited to 30 degrees throughout the course of the appeal. Since June 13, 2015, the Veteran's left ankle has not exhibited ankylosis.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not cause or aggravate his cannabis use disorder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for CRPS/RSD, right hand condition, right arm condition, and left ankle condition due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot, left foot, and right ankle disorders are not related to his military service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service.