Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of headaches that began during active service and grants service connection for this condition. For the left ankle disability, the case is remanded as the Veteran has not been afforded an examination to determine if his current disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for compliance with previous directives and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to tarsal tunnel syndrome in the left ankle, a left ankle scar, and a low back disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to increased ratings for PTSD, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve. He also requested withdrawal of the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, the maximum schedular rating for limited motion of the ankle. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including psychosis, depressive disorder, and PTSD, is granted as service connected due to a chronic disease manifested within one year of separation from service. The right foot and ankle disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted service connection. The case has been remanded for further action regarding OSA, left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the December 2017 VA examination report and the need for additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding no current or past left ankle disability and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to March 30, 2018, on an extraschedular basis due to the evidence not showing that his service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability, left shoulder disability, and left ankle disability due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for neurological impairment of the left lower extremity stemming from service-connected left ankle disorder. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete submission of VA Form 21-8940.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating beyond April 30, 2017 based on right ankle surgery that necessitated convalescence due to lack of evidence supporting an extension after the initial six-month period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and bilateral bunions are remanded for further evaluation. The left foot disability is also remanded, with the possibility of service connection based on secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the provided opinions are inadequate and remands the case for additional examinations to determine the nature and causes of the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral ankle conditions.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's chronic right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back condition and bilateral foot/ankle condition due to outstanding records, including service treatment records. The AOJ is also directed to obtain VA Choice Program private treatment records and attempt to locate any missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and swollen glands due to lack of examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle condition (bone spur) as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.