Ankle decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis and sleep apnea. The claim for an undiagnosed illness is remanded.,Service connection for the Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis and sleep apnea is established.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle condition is secondary to his service-connected knee condition. Additional development, including a new medical opinion, is needed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right ankle condition due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as service-connected because it was caused by her service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his service-connected conditions and their impact on his disability ratings. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on October 27, 2015 due to lack of pre-authorization and failure to meet the criteria for emergency treatment under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle conditions due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for sleep disorder (narcolepsy), sinus disorder, left arm disorder (shoulder), left ankle disorder, and respiratory disorder (asthma) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and scar have been rated at the maximum schedular ratings for their respective conditions, so no higher ratings are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, optic atrophy of the right eye, and multiple sclerosis-related conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinion, requiring a new one.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limited motion of the ankle prior to April 29, 2005.,From April 29, 2005, the Veteran's right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shin splints and right ankle injury were granted. The claims for bilateral pes planus and skin disorder (including onychomycosis and pseudofolliculitis barbae) are pending, with the latter two requiring further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 12, 2015, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder for further development. The Veteran's claims are related to service exposure and functional impairment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military noise exposure during service. The left ankle and/or foot disorder (claimed as left ankle sprain) and right shoulder disorder are remanded for further development.,Service connection for a dental condition (teeth and mouth pain) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her left ankle disorder, neck/cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. However, these claims are remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle and neck disabilities, as well as his claim for a higher rating for right ankle disability. The appeals are dismissed due to the full benefits sought on appeal being granted in September 2020.