Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board denied the request to reopen a claim for service connection of residuals of a right ankle sprain as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including new examinations and medical opinions to address the issues of service connection for various conditions.

The claims for service connection for migraine headaches, right ankle disability, arthritis of the right great toe, bone spur of the right foot, sinusitis or rhinitis or deviated septum, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration given to environmental exposures in Djibouti.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between any identified left ankle disability and active service or its connection to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and a low back condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's PTSD with shortness of breath and residuals of TBI is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been shown to warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service. The right knee, right ankle, and left hip issues remain under consideration as secondary to the now service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle, right ankle, and right knee disabilities as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, with shin spots and stasis changes of both ankles, bilateral dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction is denied as the criteria are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, resolving the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal for service connection claims and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD prior to June 7, 2017. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations for service connection claims related to bilateral big toe, knee, ankle disorders and right carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's left ankle condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and her claim of an earlier effective date is dismissed.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis affecting multiple joints, are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar strain and left ankle sprain, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and entitlement to service connection has been granted for a back disorder. The remaining issues of right wrist and ankle disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability due to lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least as likely as not approximately balanced or nearly equal as to whether the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities had their onset during service.