Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and failure to address specific issues raised by the Board in its December 2021 remand. The Veteran is required to provide addendum opinions from different VA examiners addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle arthritis and left ankle arthritis did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 10, 2021.,From December 10, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, and left ankle surgical scars) met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of the bilateral ankles, left foot, and right foot disabilities are related to service. The low back disability and right knee disability have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with her left lower extremity radiculopathy, left foot disability, right hip arthritis, and left ankle disability. The appeals are related as they involve disabilities that may be secondary to other conditions in service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including degenerative joint disease, is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle inversion injury and right foot injury are being remanded for further development. The right ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent, but the right foot injury remains noncompensable.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral shin splints, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence of record.,Service connection was also denied for dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and injuries.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a diagnosed disability.,The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle disability and chronic gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) as they may be related to service or secondary to other conditions.,The Veteran's GERD claim is being remanded, with an addendum opinion requested regarding whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected IBS and/or depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain and left knee strain have been rated under the appropriate VA rating criteria. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,Service connection for rhabdomyolysis and sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a left knee disability, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The remand requires new VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address his current symptoms and diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating for a right ankle disability and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete information in the claim file, particularly regarding the Veteran's symptoms during the period from July 2011 to the present. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence of his lay observations.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU from May 31, 2018. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his service.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his service.,The Veteran's bilateral athlete's foot is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,Service connection was denied for a left ankle scar and erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and right ear hearing loss have been reopened. Service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted with a 20% rating. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 20%, while the left ankle disability is rated at 10%. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities, as the existing VA examinations were deemed inadequate.