Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disorder has been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the claims for increased disability evaluation for right wrist fracture, back disorder, numbness of feet (presumably related to herbicide exposure), acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a muscle injury status post right ankle gunshot wound was granted, as the RO improperly notified the Veteran and did not allow them to correct their initial submission.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued since.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,A left ankle disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim can be adjudicated due to lack of VA examinations for his claimed disabilities. The Veteran served on active duty from May 1970 to September 1973 and had in-service treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, including knee, leg, and ankle issues.

The Veteran is granted total disability ratings for all service-connected disabilities in combination prior to January 19, 2022 and a total rating based solely on his acquired psychiatric disorder from that date. He also receives SMC at the housebound rate starting from January 19, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a neurologist regarding whether his service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy 'precludes locomotion' without the aid of external assistive devices.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right ankle disorder, including his in-service injuries and current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, right hip, left hip, right arm, right knee, and right ankle disorders due to unsuccessful attempts to contact him at his current address.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and left ankle disability are all remanded for further development. The Board found that the current ratings of 10 percent do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a left Achilles tendon / ankle disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to active service.,For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran was granted TDIU from October 11, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left ankle conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of May 31, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues related to sleep apnea and a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to May 31, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not adequately addressed by the current evidence and requires further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, a bilateral foot disability, and a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's testimony about his pain during service and since was considered credible.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran's statements are considered competent and credible regarding his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with arthritis, right elbow strain, and right ankle strain (distal fibula fracture) are all granted as service-connected.,An initial compensable rating for the service-connected right little finger disability prior to November 25, 2019, is denied. An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right little finger disability since November 25, 2019, is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple joints and back disorders are being remanded due to additional relevant evidence added to the record since the December 2021 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's right elbow, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to evidence of increased severity. For his left shoulder condition, a new opinion is needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability, bilateral ankle disabilities, and right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The issues of TDIU are also being deferred until these matters are resolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to need for additional evidence and examinations.