Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disability, kidney disorder (to include kidney stones), diabetes mellitus, type II, sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea), and left arm carpal tunnel syndrome. The reasons provided were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for residuals of a stroke has been granted. The right and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knee and foot conditions, have impacted his ability to work. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the need for an examination considering the occupational limitations caused by these disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, left ankle injury, and left hand injury have been denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to take jurisdiction over the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to his implied request to rescind earlier requests to withdraw those issues. The Board finds that another VA medical examination is required as prior examinations are insufficient to address the question of secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand three cases involving increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left ankle arthritis, right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis, and postoperative residuals of the left knee. The decision is based on the need for additional development including obtaining private treatment records from UC Health and VA treatment records from February 2021 to present, as well as an examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 26, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for dizziness disorder. Tinnitus was granted as a new condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hemorrhoids was granted effective July 12, 2012. The claim for a higher rating for postoperative bond block on the left ankle remains denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, chronic athlete's foot (onychomycosis), left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

A 30 percent rating, but no more, for anterior compartment syndrome and right ankle achilles tendonitis is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was restored to a 70 percent rating effective August 1, 2018. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle pain, right knee arthritis, and left knee pain due to insufficient evidence in the August 2015 VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of additional medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for left and right ankle disabilities, left and right wrist strain, and left and right knee chondromalacia. The claims of service connection for shoulder, elbow, and leg disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, muscle pain, numbness, and sleep disturbances are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is secondary to her service-connected right foot disability or directly related to service. The Veteran needs additional medical opinions on both theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and for increased ratings for his right ankle, elbow, and shoulder disabilities are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a right ankle disability, PTSD rating, PFB rating, left forearm raised lesion rating, and sleep disorder.