Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining CVs of VA examiners who conducted previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted, as well as the right ankle condition secondary claim. The Veteran will receive an SOC in response to his NOD.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including muscle pain and various joint and foot disabilities, are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection rules.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to service connection and rating criteria due to the need for additional medical examinations or studies.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, low back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's initial back disability rating is granted at a 40% level, effective from December 11, 2013.,An initial 20% rating for the right ankle disability is granted, effective June 24, 2022.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar spine, cervical spine, left elbow, and left ankle disabilities are found to be due to his honorable service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as his claim for a left knee disorder. The evidence did not show any chronic conditions related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hip disability and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate opinions on service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right hip disability, which he contends began during service or was aggravated by a pre-existing right ankle disability. For his bilateral hearing loss, he contends it is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen her claims for coccyx disability, right ankle deltoid ligament strain, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of her right ankle deltoid ligament strain and left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities and left ankle disorder, but denied the request for an earlier effective date for these grants.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine if the Veteran's high blood pressure and left ankle disorder are related to service or any other condition.

The Board has determined that the status of each period of the Veteran's service is unclear and requires further examination to determine if any of his claimed conditions are related to active duty or other periods of service. The claims for service connection will be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ankle disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.,Service connection for male reproductive system disability (including prostatitis, ED, and BPH) is granted as the evidence supports that these conditions are secondary to medications used to treat service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for radiculopathy of right upper extremity is denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.,Service connection for radiculopathy of left upper extremity is denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.,Service connection for radiculopathy of right lower extremity is denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being reopened, but service connection for the condition remains denied.,Service connection for prostate cancer and respiratory cancer is remanded due to potential exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations for his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm/shoulder conditions, and ankle conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its potential impact on the assigned disability rating and effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence or incomplete examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his left knee scars, insomnia, or instability of the left knee. Service connection for chronic left shoulder pain and chronic left ankle pain remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new private treatment records and requests for an opinion regarding his right hip and knee disorders. The VA will obtain updated medical records, schedule a VA examination, and provide opinions on the severity of his right ankle disability and whether he has any related right hip or knee disorders.