Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, loss of feeling in the pelvic area, pinched nerve on the right side of the neck, cervicalgia, ankle disabilities, sphincter control issues, bladder control issues, and hematochezia are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his active service or due to an undiagnosed illness. The claims were also denied as secondary to pre-existing disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn and dismissed. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder, left ankle sprain with arthritis, and right ankle fracture with arthritis disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's request for higher evaluations for his service-connected right and left ankle disorders is partially granted, with a 40 percent evaluation for right ankle ankylosis from August 16, 2018. The remaining issues are remanded to obtain retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle and hip conditions, as well as a neck condition. The case will be returned to VA for further examination and determination of etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an additional examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle condition.

The Veteran's service connection for recurrent abdominoplasty residuals is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of rating PTSD, low back musculotendinous strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left ankle strain residuals.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and a new VA examination. The case will be remanded to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle laxity and pes planus are rated at 10 percent each, while a separate rating of 10 percent is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The appeal is denied for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for a right ankle disability and right ankle scars, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability did not begin in service and is not related to any incident of his military service. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing or illegible service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for a left ankle disorder, including considering her lay statements and examining whether any current disorders are related to service. The case is being remanded for further review.

The appeal for higher ratings for left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis; left knee degenerative arthritis; right ankle strain; right knee degenerative arthritis; and acne of the face, neck, and chest is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for gout and hallux valgus, left foot.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed them.