Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and heel disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if he has current functional impairment related to his claimed disabilities, which may be considered as evidence of service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye disability, left foot disability (to include pes planus and heel spur), right foot disability (to include pes planus and a heel spur), left knee chondromalacia patella, left knee laxity, left ankle sprain residuals, and hypertension. The decision also dismissed the claim for TDIU.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a low back condition is denied.,The claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and left ankle conditions are remanded.,The claim for service connection for acid reflux (GERD) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, right ankle sprain, right wrist sprain, left lower extremity varicose veins, lumbar spine condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and tension headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inconsistency in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability, which was not adequately addressed. The Veteran seeks service connection for his right ankle disability, which he asserts is related to active service and includes carrying heavy backpacks on long marches and parachute jumps.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right ankle disability was granted at 20 percent, but the Board has ordered a remand to determine if he experiences ankylosis of the ankle and its impact on his disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities have continued to worsen since their last examination in June 2018. The case is being remanded for further evaluations and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability. Service connection was granted for ingrown toenails of both feet.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for right ankle weakness is reopened. The appeal to determine whether the Veteran has a current disability related to his service is remanded due to an inadequate August 2013 VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, sinusitis, and rhinitis. The matters are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle condition and has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left hip, and right hip conditions, as well as plantar fasciitis and blood clot condition (secondary to lumbar spine condition).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle rheumatoid arthritis, left hand rheumatoid arthritis, and right hand rheumatoid arthritis have been denied. The highest schedular rating of 20 percent is currently assigned for each condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot pes planus has been reopened and granted. The claims for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sinus condition are still pending and need further review.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and her right foot calluses are rated at 20 percent. The case is being remanded for further action on the TDIU claim.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis is requested.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and a rating increase were dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they have died.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left eye conjunctivitis is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring further development and examination for service connection of left ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right ankle disability claim, and the Board dismissed it.