Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, including special monthly pension based upon the need for aid and attendance (SMP-AA), due to incomplete development of his medical records and income information.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection, while his left knee and left ankle osteoarthritis are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with hypertension being granted under the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right foot heel spur, and right ankle disability is granted with an effective date of December 18, 2012. The claims for sleep apnea and left shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right elbow condition, left ankle injury, cervical strain, and right foot condition due to missing service treatment records. The case will be returned to the RO to attempt to locate these records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right arm and hand conditions as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The issue of service connection for a left ankle condition is remanded due to its inextricability with the CRPS/RSD claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea, back condition, and right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriatic arthritis of his bilateral wrists and ankles due to insufficient development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires additional remand to obtain substantial compliance with the September 2020 remand directives.

The Veteran's right hip disability is denied as it did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.,The Veteran's left foot sinus tarsitis with possible remote injury to the left distal deep peroneal nerve (claimed as left ankle disability) is granted as her symptoms first manifested during service and are related to wearing tight footwear.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a 30 percent rating effective December 3, 2021. His right ankle disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, hypothyroidism, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disability claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left wrist, right wrist, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disorders have been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disorder has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected low back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU have been remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the October 2022 Board remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, headaches, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, respiratory disability, fibromyalgia, and personality disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity and left ankle disabilities have been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a current disability or medical nexus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has also been reopened. The new evidence shows symptoms consistent with PTSD.