Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on left ankle sprain, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis have been dismissed due to failure to perfect an appeal. The Board has also determined that the issues of increased ratings for these conditions are not properly before it at this time as they were granted in a prior rating decision. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right side groin pain is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, frostbite, and TBI as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability are not properly addressed due to a lack of medical examination or opinion. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his right and left ankle disabilities. The issues of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a right eye injury, service connection for diabetes mellitus, and entitlement to increased ratings for knee and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being remanded for further examination and rating due to the amount of time since his last examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to August 7, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee condition, and left ankle condition due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for GERD is dismissed. The case has been returned to the Board due to a withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's L4-5 degenerative disc disease is granted an initial rating of 20 percent effective January 11, 2016. Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and thrombocytopenia are granted. The left knee disability and bilateral ankle disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disorders, as well as migraines. The claims are being returned to VA for further examination and opinion regarding the presence of disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right wrist disability, right hand disability other than tremor, left elbow disability, and left hand disability are all granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand this case due to the need for an updated assessment by a VRC or CP regarding whether the Veteran's vocational goal is reasonably feasible and if changing his goal to pursue a master's or law degree is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development and compliance with prior remand directives. The issues of service connection for a male reproductive organ disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including as secondary to the male reproductive organ disorder), a right hip disorder, a right ankle disorder, and bronchitis are all being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right ankle, and left shoulder disorders are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board will seek additional medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptomatology in service and post-service. Additionally, a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to active service. Finally, an opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are caused or aggravated by his tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow condition, bilateral hearing loss, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The decision also noted that his claim for a compensable rating for his right elbow scar was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether her service-connected psychiatric disability may be a contributing factor. The Board also finds that evaluations for her ankle, hip, and back disabilities need to be remanded as well.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle strain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current disability had its onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, right ankle disability, and dental disability. The Veteran's claims were based on exposure to loud noise during active service.