Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability, bilateral ankle disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim prior to February 18, 2021. The issues are being remanded due to discrepancies in the January 2020 VA examination results.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, right ear hearing loss, and a compensable disability rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an infectious disease and a right ankle disability due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claim for a right foot or ankle disability due to unclear service connection and potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again, with an in-person examination required to address his pes planus and any related disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities remain pending. The Board has ordered additional VA examinations and opinions due to outstanding records and incomplete medical history.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the previously denied claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, but has remanded both the bilateral eye condition and left ankle condition claims due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's testimony regarding in-service events and post-service symptomatology will be considered during the upcoming VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,New evidence has reopened the claims of fibromyalgia, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

Your claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been dismissed because you have settled all related claims with the United States through a Federal Tort Claims Act settlement agreement.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tension headaches, sleep apnea, a right ankle disability, and bronchitis have been dismissed as the benefits sought on appeal were granted in full.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, bilateral pes planus, and neck disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the service-connected disabilities granted in his December 2015 rating decision. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to verify the dates of active-duty service prior to September 23, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining STRs and VA/privately obtained treatment records. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service connection claims and exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to clarify the Veteran's recovery period after his left ankle surgery and to determine if a temporary total convalescence rating is warranted.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with the Veteran having a current diagnosis and in-service incurrence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an effective date earlier than April 8, 2016, for left ankle disability. The appeal was also dismissed for seeking evaluations in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 29, 2016, and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status prior to December 29, 2016.,The Board also dismissed the Veteran's appeal seeking a compensable evaluation for his service-connected scar of the right forearm.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of sufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives and inadequate rationale in the most recent opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further examinations and opinions regarding his right ankle disability, low back pain, left knee strain, and right knee strain.