Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the VA did not comply with its prior remand directives and is therefore remanding the cases for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a recurrent right ankle sprain, finding that the current disability is related to service and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse rating decisions dated in November 1985 and September 1987 based on CUE, finding that the Veteran did not present a clear and specific argument for such claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remands and failure to obtain necessary medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinnitus, asthma, and sinus condition were denied in previous rating decisions. The claim for headaches was granted.,The Veteran's claims for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, back condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle conditions due to new evidence received. However, these claims are still pending as a remand is required to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including plantar fasciitis, bilateral ankle disorders, neck disorder, shin splints, left knee disorder, athlete's foot, hand disorders, and back disorders. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, back disability, neck disability, and right shoulder tendinopathy with strain are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral hip degenerative joint disease, right knee disability, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear and Baker's cyst, bilateral ankle disabilities, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder tendinopathy, right elbow disability, and left elbow lateral epicondylitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, IBS, left ankle disability, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to April 17, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability, all of which are claimed to be related to a motor vehicle accident in 1973. The appeals have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports that did not address each claim individually.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran is entitled to retroactive CRDP compensation payments for the periods from March 1, 2010, through May 31, 2012, and July 19, 2012, through April 30, 2014. However, it is unclear if he received the full amount of VA compensation benefits he was entitled to for the period prior to March 1, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle and right knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions were not related to service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, bilateral pes planus, degenerative arthritis with instability of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis with instability of the right knee are all granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted service connection.,However, chronic fatigue syndrome, right ear hearing loss, a right ankle disorder, and a left ankle disorder remain pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for rating increases for right knee and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in the previous remand. New VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of these conditions during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his hip, knee, ankle, and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of arthritis of the hands and feet or bilateral ankle disability that manifested during service, was related to service, or is otherwise connected to service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal, elbow, hip, knee, shin, ankle, and foot conditions. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of her claims.