Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, wrist, elbow, and knee disabilities as well as a neck disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to failure to report for a necessary examination.,Her right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that her functional impairment did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and TDIU due to service-connected disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's left lower extremity disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA clinical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and whether service connection should be granted. The issues of secondary service connection are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle injury was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and service connection for erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for instability and swelling of the left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral shin splints due to inadequate medical opinions in prior remands.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for abrasion right leg is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence of a disability during service and post-service. The Veteran has not been provided with an examination related to this issue.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service exposure to noise and the Veteran's report of onset during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent since April 1, 2014. The appeal remains on hold for further development.,The Veteran's left ankle sprain and cervical spine disability are not entitled to increased evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hand disability due to his withdrawal. The remaining issues have been remanded, including back, neck, right shoulder, right knee, right ankle, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate nexus opinion. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination or opinion, and the representative argues that his right ankle condition is related to his service-connected left ankle peroneal tendonitis.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder and back disabilities.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as related to active service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted as related to active service.

The Board has found the VA examinations and opinions inadequate, requiring a remand to obtain additional opinion for the VA to fulfill the duty to assist the Veteran in determining if his plantar fasciitis and ankle disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left eye disabilities have not been reopened. The claim for higher staged ratings for left ankle tendonitis is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for a right ankle disability is granted. The appeals for increased ratings for the right and left shoulders, as well as the cervical spine disability, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to potential issues with aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a different VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a right wrist injury, residuals of a right ankle sprain prior to March 26, 2019, and osteoarthritis of the right knee status post arthroscopic surgery have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 50% rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee status post arthroscopic surgery effective from October 28, 2011 has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and a right ankle disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for headache, right ankle, left ankle, back, and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.