Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle and left foot disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and that there is no evidence of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in denying service connection previously.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent prior to December 27, 2019 and 40 percent as of that date. The right ankle disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to December 27, 2019 and now rated at 20 percent.,The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, increased ratings for the low back and right ankle disabilities, and the remanded issues are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for gout affecting multiple joints, including the right and left shoulders, knees, feet, hands, fingers, and toes. The appeal is now REMANDED for further action on two issues: diabetes mellitus, type II, and residuals of a stroke.

The Board denied service connection for all four claimed disabilities (right shoulder, left knee, right ankle, and scar on the right hand) as there was no persuasive evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities have been granted service connection with effective dates of June 27, 2013. Effective date for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has not been granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for disabilities of the bilateral feet and ankles due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, satisfied with the decisions on cervical spine, TMJ dysfunction, and right ankle disabilities. No further action is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left ankle achilles tendonitis are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative joint disease, left medial meniscal tear, and left ankle ligamentous sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The issues include rashes in both ankles and feet, TBI, and ulcerative colitis.

The Board has granted service connection for right thumb/wrist joint pain, left thumb/wrist joint pain, and right elbow joint pain as incurred during the Veteran's Persian Gulf service. Service connection was denied for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left ankle sprain with arthritis prior to April 20, 2014, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of left ankle sprain with arthritis from April 20, 2014. The claims are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and foot disorders, as well as her requests for higher ratings for her right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for paralysis of all radicular groups of the right upper extremity was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his right Achilles' tendonitis (right ankle disorder), have been granted initial disability ratings. The Veteran's right foot pain status post metatarsal stress fracture has not resulted in an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and bilateral foot disorders due to incomplete evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's kidney stones are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective November 14, 2021. The Veteran's gouty arthritis of the right great toe and left ankle is currently rated as 20 percent disabling for the period from June 17, 2005 to October 18, 2006.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis with instability is granted a 10 percent rating, effective from May 5, 2016. Other claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the claims of service connection for several conditions, including BHL, allergies to sulfur drugs and insect bites, ear infection, dacrycystitis, fracture of nasal bone, endometriosis, gastroenteritis, a dental disability, residuals of cysts removal, left foot and toes injury, bilateral hip condition, right arm pain, right elbow condition, cervical spine disability, chest pain, inflammation of the lungs, BLE numbness (numbness of legs, right side pain and numbness), and service connection for left knee. The Board has also reopened claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, chest pain, inflammation of the lungs, BLE numbness and right-sided pain, a cervical spine disability, right arm pain, right elbow pain, and a left knee disorder.