Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for vasomotor rhinitis with epistaxis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left ankle osteoarthritis, and right ankle strain have been granted. The Board found that these conditions are related to service due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of left ankle burn, left knee disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and hearing impairment are all granted. The claim for residuals of a spider bite is remanded.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal in February 2022.

The Veteran's left arm radiculopathy is found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disorder.,Other claims are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disorder because new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the June 2016 VA examination report. The Veteran needs new VA examinations and etiology opinions considering the MRI results submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several service connection claims, including deviated septum, ankle strains, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and shin splints. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection. The neck, right hip, left ankle, heart, kidney, head trauma, and seizures disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding no link between the Veteran's right ankle sprain and his current left knee condition. The Board also found no evidence of a knee disability during service or within one year after service.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are currently rated at the maximum schedular ratings (20% for each ankle prior to July 27, 2021, and 40% from that date). The appeal is remanded as there is no evidence of ankylosis or functional fixation of the ankles.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle sprain were granted a rating of 20 percent effective October 11, 2017. The Board found the functional impairment caused by his recurrent left ankle instability more nearly approximated that contemplated by a marked limitation of ankle motion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.,Service connection for gout is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a prostate disability is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a kidney disability is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a left ankle disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as they are caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Effective dates prior to July 9, 2015, for bilateral hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he expressed satisfaction with the current status of his case and wishes to close it.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to outstanding VA treatment records that may include relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric condition, a left knee condition, residuals of a left hamstring rupture, and a right ankle condition. The decision also notes that the Veteran was denied service connection for syncope.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, right ankle instability, and left ankle disabilities. The low back, right shoulder, right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and further development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a retrospective addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability during flare-ups.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture disability is granted a 20% rating effective January 13, 2015. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.