Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left foot and ankle disabilities. The Veteran asserts that his current conditions are related to a line of duty injury in June 1986, but the VA medical opinions did not adequately address this claim.

The claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and assistance prior to the April 2020 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions were dismissed due to his withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale provided in the VA examination for service connection of a left ankle condition. The examiner needs to provide more detailed opinions on whether the disability is related to service or aggravated by other disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left ankle osteoarthritis have been rated at 10 percent since April 1, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,Higher ratings are warranted when there is marked limitation of motion of the ankle.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability of the ankles or feet, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issues regarding right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected left leg conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, and various extremity disabilities are not granted. The cases have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by his obesity.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's left ankle disability and the need for further development. The issues of a higher rating for the left ankle disability and TDIU from April 8, 2014 to September 7, 2021 are currently before the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to comply with VA's duty to assist, specifically regarding obtaining adequate medical opinions for service connection claims. The Veteran was not provided a VA examination and the Court found there was good cause for his non-response.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sarcoidosis, sinusitis, and rhinitis due to unresolved medical or procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left ankle disability, finding that his condition is consistent with a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and need for new VA medical opinions regarding her claimed orthopedic disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist, bilateral knee, and right ankle conditions due to insufficient examination findings. The initial compensable rating claim for left inguinal hernia scar remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for fracture, left middle finger (now claimed as left-hand injury), right ankle pain and locking, and jaw pain due to an incorrect form being used in the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had pre-existing back, foot, and knee conditions prior to her ACDUTRA period. The right ankle disorder is also suspected of having a pre-service origin. As such, these claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities. A total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board found the Veteran did not provide good cause for missing these appointments.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, need for new examinations, and other procedural issues.