Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and incomplete review of the evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle strain with arthritis is related to active service and granted.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the effective date prior to April 7, 2021 for right ankle fracture and left lower extremity fracture residuals.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to additional development being necessary.,For the issue of service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the October 2020 x-ray report showing degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and the Veteran's November 2023 statement about continuing pain in his legs.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to non-weightbearing range of motion, functional limitation, and medication effects on the lumbar spine. The right and left foot neuropathy ratings and effective dates need to be addressed. An opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to active duty service or a 1968 sprain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability has been granted. The appeal is remanded for further rating determinations on left ankle sprain, lumbar spine strain prior to September 19, 2018, and lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease, IVDS and spinal stenosis from September 19, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left ankle disorder.,Service connection was also denied for a left hip disorder in this decision.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea have been denied as they are not related to his military service.,For the remaining issues (right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, loss of use of the right lower extremity, and loss of use of the left lower extremity), the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left ankle disability was denied. The claims for higher initial ratings of adjustment disorder and tension headaches were granted, with the rating for tension headaches increased to 30% effective July 11, 2023.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided in August 2023 are not sufficient to comply with the December 2022 remand directives. The claims for right ankle, right knee, and right thumb conditions must be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a pending appeal under the Modernized Appeal System (AMA). The main issue is whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 13, 2012. This decision does not address service connection or exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during and after service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent effective April 15, 2011 (excluding periods of temporary total ratings). The appeal regarding service connection for a condition of the pelvis and TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left great toe bone fusion, shoulder disabilities, knee disability, and ankle disabilities. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is not a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for left foot and left ankle degenerative joint disease, finding that the conditions were less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral ankle, elbow, shoulder, wrist, hand, hip, and knee disabilities due to toxic exposures during his service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, GERD, a left ankle disability, and COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left shin splints, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examination reports.,VA will obtain additional medical records from private providers and conduct further examinations to determine if service connection can be established for these conditions.