Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left foot DJD and calcaneal spur, right ankle DJD status-post malleolus avulsion fracture, right knee DJD, and left knee DJD have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent since April 1, 2011. The Veteran's mild incomplete paralysis of the left (minor) upper radicular group nerves has also been granted a rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for back, left hip, right hip, and left ankle disabilities as the Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine, left ankle, and left wrist disabilities as well as the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 12, 2019. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) to obtain SSA records and provide a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for sarcoidosis and right ankle disability due to incomplete development of records from the Veteran's Army National Guard service.

The Board has remanded several issues including increased ratings for headaches, right shoulder strain limitation of motion, and left ankle disability, earlier effective dates for the awards of these disabilities, and a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, prevent her from engaging in substantially gainful employment that is consistent with her education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his hip, knee, and ankle conditions. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the need for private medical records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between service and these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the left ankle disability as secondary to hypermobility syndrome. The decision is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle strain, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service. The examiner noted inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported history and lack of documented symptoms during or after service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for his right and left ankle conditions due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a 20 percent rating since February 6, 2018. Prior to that date, the disability was not rated higher due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted as they are at least as likely as not related to service.,Right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and left leg disorder due to incomplete medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted with a 20% rating prior to August 11, 2020 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. A separate 20% rating is granted for painful scars associated with the right ankle and left knee as of August 11, 2020. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted a 30% rating from March 1, 2018 to August 10, 2020 and denied for higher ratings thereafter.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic prostatitis is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to initial ratings for achilles tendonitis and DJD of the lumbar spine, as well as a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is reopened, and the issues of service connection for multiple joint disorders are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and psychiatric disorder have been granted. The left ankle disability is considered to be related to his in-service injury, while the psychiatric disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right and left wrist disabilities, diagnosed as tendonitis, were granted service connection.,The Veteran's diverticulitis was granted service connection. His headaches and psychiatric disability (insomnia with generalized anxiety disorder) were also granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that it is proximately due to the appellant's service-connected left leg disabilities.,Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea as there is no causal relationship with his service-connected conditions.