Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and verifying service periods. The Veteran's right knee, left knee, right ankle, sleep disorder, and thyroid disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition and noting a significant gap between any documented treatment and the onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not cooperate with the VA examinations and failed to provide medical records, resulting in a lack of sufficient evidence to decide his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU, but his unemployability due to PTSD warrants extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to her service-connected knee and ankle disabilities, as well as her TDIU claim prior to August 31, 2020.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and a migraine headache disability, as well as her right and left ankle disabilities and stomach disability. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability was denied because he failed to appear at the scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral neuropathy of the legs, and TDIU are being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding his military service in Vietnam.,The Veteran's appeals for chronic sinusitis, cervical spine disability, bilateral arm radiculopathy, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to January 15, 2020 is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims that require further development.,,,

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea and left ankle disability (to include as secondary to right ankle disability) are related to his military service, but needs further examination for a definitive opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board granted effective dates of August 31, 2011 for the grant of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's kidney disability was rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7508, with a separate 10 percent rating for her UTI disability. Her right foot disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral hamstring and left calf disability, or pain resulting in functional limitation, during or contemporary to the appeal period.,Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hamstring and left calf disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for hernia, low back condition, TBI, right ankle disability, and right wrist disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are currently rated as noncompensable for hearing loss and 10 percent for the right ankle.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that her current diagnosis of a chronic right ankle sprain is not due to or has been aggravated by her service-connected lumbosacral strain and/or right hip bursitis. The most recent VA examinations did not support a nexus between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and her right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for persistent depressive disorder has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder degenerative arthritis, cervical spine condition, and ankle, knee, foot, thigh, and back conditions.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right ankle disability, effective from October 1, 2017. The decision also notes that the Veteran currently experiences flare-ups causing decreased ROM and stiffness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for low back disorder related to his right ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for back and PTSD, as well as claims for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The VA will conduct additional examinations and gather medical records to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.