Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left knee disability has been granted a 60 percent rating from June 1, 2018 to November 5, 2020. The right knee disability has also been granted a 60 percent rating since December 1, 2016.,Issues related to the Veteran's left ankle sprain and increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an ankle disability and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate examination reports, interrelated contentions, and conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's right and left ankle tendonitis were granted service connection effective July 2, 1992, the day after his separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the March 2022 remand directives and the claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition that could be linked to the current disability. The Veteran's statements regarding an in-service ankle injury were deemed not credible.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right knee condition, left ankle condition (including as secondary to service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis), and current severity of his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations in previous evaluations.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is not related to her active service, and the Board finds that she does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted.,The Veteran's neck/cervical spine disorder is found to be secondary to her service-connected migraines. The Board grants service connection for this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip and left ankle conditions due to inadequate notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to asthma, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and/or a left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The other issues are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the ratings and service connection issues related to his ankle, foot, wrist, and left foot conditions.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current status of the Veteran's right ankle disability in accordance with regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty to assist errors, specifically regarding missing medical records from a private provider. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are noted as affecting his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 3, 2012.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's right ankle disorder and whether there is evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to August 26, 2022 and 70 percent therefrom. The Board denied staged ratings in excess of these percentages.,The Veteran does not have a current right or left ankle disability as no such conditions were diagnosed by VA examiners or other medical providers during the appeal period.,Regarding his left knee disability, the Veteran has provided competent signs and symptoms of a current disability. The Board found that his in-service activities are consistent with his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle sprain with tendinitis and Achilles tendon rupture was reopened, and the claim is granted. The compensable rating for residuals of postoperative corpus luteum cyst is denied. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left ankle instability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification of the examiner's opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability and/or left foot drop.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle ligament strain and right heel calcaneal spur are not service-connected, but has found that they may be related to his service-connected left ankle disability. The case is being remanded for further development.