Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete service records and need for new medical opinions. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issues of pes planus and left ankle disability are still pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, Meniere's disease, sinusitis, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral pes planus. The VA examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding her alleged incidents during service and her lack of post-service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral congenital pes planus with bilateral metatarsalgia is dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to his service-connected hip, knee, and ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck and left ankle disabilities due to repetitive heavy lifting during military service. The Veteran's VA treatment records indicate chronic symptoms, but a medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left ankle disability, scars (left ankle), and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,While the Veteran reported symptoms of each condition since service, the medical records do not support a nexus between his current diagnoses and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle disability and for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chest pain (claimed as chest pain and hypertension) and tendonitis of the right hip, bilateral ankles, right wrist, and thumbs due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for neuropathy in the left upper extremity is granted. Service connection for a bilateral hip disability and right knee disability is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 27, 2012. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for resection of ribs five, six, and seven. The issue of service connection for resection of the right scapula as secondary to her rib disability is remanded. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the talo-fibular and talo-navicular joint with chronic left ankle strain, including entitlement to a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery, is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a heart disability, and various joint and foot disorders. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing onset in service or continuity of symptomatology.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied as VA did not receive a valid claim prior to June 15, 2015.,Claims for service connection for various conditions were previously denied in final rating decisions dated October 2006 and March 2009. The Veteran's claims have been reopened but no new evidence was submitted within one year of these decisions.

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral leg condition, low back condition, and bilateral ankle condition. The VA medical opinions do not consider all relevant evidence including the Veteran's contentions of continuous problems since service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded to determine if the Veteran has a current disability related to her in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for heart disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded due to incomplete military personnel and service treatment records. The appellant is also advised that any outstanding VA and private treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation from December 19, 2016 to the present for status post left and right ankle sprains.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on three issues: left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.