Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed, granting his claims for service connection and increased ratings.

The Veteran's right knee, shoulder, and ankle conditions are being remanded for additional development.,Further medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left ankle disability was withdrawn. The initial 70 percent rating for depressive disorder prior to April 6, 2021 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of depressive disorder since April 6, 2021 remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disability, lumbosacral strain with sciatica, and right leg neuralgia need further development due to inadequate notification of scheduled examinations. The case is being remanded for these issues.

The Veteran's left fibula condition is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under DC 5262.,Both his right and left knee conditions are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings available under DCs 5260 and 5257.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, chronic fatigue and weakness due to thyroidectomy residuals, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral tinnitus, and migraine headaches disorder.,There is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or causal connections between the Veteran's claimed conditions and her active service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder as due to right ankle condition, and hernia residuals. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of his bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and back disability is remanded due to a previous denial in April 2013. The issues are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture disability does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder (to include hearing loss and hyperacusis), right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee stress fractures, bilateral tibia stress fractures, and bilateral ankle disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.,The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding her current diagnoses.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spondylosis and denied service connection for a left ankle disorder. The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent, while his left ankle disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee, right foot and ankle, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The issues have been remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD and right ankle osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The appeals for the right and left knee disabilities were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, dizziness or unsteadiness, and left ankle strain. The matters are also inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine, right ankle, left ankle, and right heel disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to its inextricability with other claims, including service connection for right ankle, cervical spine, and chronic dizziness/unsteadiness disorders. The effective dates and ratings for left ankle will be addressed separately.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to errors in denying service connection on a direct basis without explaining why an examination and opinion considering direct service connection was not warranted.