Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete examinations and failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted the claims for residuals, right ankle sprain and left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disorder is granted. The Board also remanded several other claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disorder due to outstanding records and further examination being needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine arthritis, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, right elbow arthritis, left elbow arthritis, right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right hip arthritis, and left hip arthritis have all been denied.

The Board has determined that the February 15, 2018, notices of disagreement are untimely for the issues related to right knee, right hip, left ankle disabilities and hemorrhoids. The claims will be remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendonitis are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and shoulder conditions due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and a need for updated examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that her current condition is not related to her service. The denial also included a secondary service connection claim for the left ankle condition due to a right ankle injury, which was not granted as she was not currently service connected for the right ankle.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, left ankle, right ankle, headaches, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy as the evidence does not support a relationship to service.,An initial compensable rating for hearing loss is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues is remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and a low back disability, both diagnosed as sprains, based on their onset during the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The conditions are deemed to have been incurred during active duty.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disability, temporary total evaluation due to right knee disability requiring convalescence beyond April 1, 2018, and SMC based on housebound beyond April 1, 2018. The remaining issues of rating excess ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, left ankle strain, and displaced fracture of the right middle finger are REMANDED.

Service connection is granted for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left-hand condition with tingling, right-hand condition with tingling, left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ankle strain were granted service connection, but the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.