Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that it does not have jurisdiction over the propriety of any rating prior to September 22, 2014. The claims for increased ratings are still in appellate status and remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations considering both old and new rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right Achilles tendon rupture is granted. The claims for left leg/foot disability, right foot disability other than residuals of right Achilles tendon rupture, right arm disability, and psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities do not prevent him from finding and maintaining gainful employment, as he has the physical capacity to perform sedentary work.

The Veteran's right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are granted service connection. The case is remanded for further examination regarding a right hip disability.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's appeal as to the timeliness of his substantive appeal for TDIU and has determined that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The rating assigned is 90 percent, effective from the date of the February 2016 NOD.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a bilateral ankle disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether a right ankle disorder is related to service-connected conditions, specifically metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis of the right foot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions and need for further development. The Veteran's right ankle disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential Gulf War exposure, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if his symptoms are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The case is remanded to obtain updated examinations and assessments of her current disability levels.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disability, knee disabilities, right middle finger disability, fibromyalgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The underlying claims are now remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right ankle has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability claimed as arthritis because it was granted in full by a January 2022 rating decision. The right ankle disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for clarification.

The appeal for service connection of a left ankle injury, including arthritis, is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development. The issues of bilateral foot condition, right ankle condition (secondary), left ankle condition (secondary), and hypertension are all being remanded.

The Board has granted the right ankle disability claim and remanded the left elbow disability claim for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and a left ankle condition, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or links to service.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran did not have any diagnosed conditions related to his claimed injuries during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses.