Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran's right ankle disability is being reviewed for service connection, with a focus on whether it preexisted service or was caused by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension (HTN), left ankle condition, and tinea versicolor due to incomplete service records and lack of authorization for private treatment evidence. Additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's periods of service and obtain relevant medical records.

Service connection for a right knee disability, claimed as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability is granted. Service connection for a right ankle disability and a left ankle disability, both claimed as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed disabilities and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for right ankle disability and service connection for right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, but remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis effective December 20, 2021. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since April 13, 2018.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and another for an evaluation greater than 10 percent for the service-connected left ankle sprain. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination report for assessing the Veteran's left ankle disability. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for her service-connected left Achilles tendon rupture and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the left ankle disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending again.

The Veteran's GERD/hiatal hernia with erosive gastritis is rated at 30 percent, but no more, since May 31, 2013.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the right thumb scar is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to conflicting evidence in his VA examination reports, the need for additional treatment records, and the possibility of separate rating considerations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle condition and bilateral eye disorder are granted service connection, while hypertension is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and earlier effective date for her right ankle disability are remanded. Her service connection claim for a back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, type II diabetes mellitus, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right ankle, cervical spine, lumbar spine, cephalgia, partial loss of use of upper extremities, and gout involving the left hand, knees, and ankles as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.,The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities do not have a direct link to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he did not submit a completed VA Form 21-8940 to support his application, and there is no indication in the evidence of record that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains under review.