Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and whether they are related to service. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, left thumb laceration residuals, and other lower extremity disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims and requests for compensable ratings for his service-connected scars and migraines.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, neck disability, back condition, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle and foot disorders. However, the claims have been remanded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, left eye disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right foot disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's disabilities are found to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. Service connection was denied for right knee disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is rated at 60 percent, but no higher. The Board found the evidence persuasive that his respiratory disability more closely approximated a 60 percent rating based on FEV-1 results. However, he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as his other conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral lower leg disabilities, neck disability, and thoracic spine disability due to a lack of current disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left ankle status post avulsion fracture is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right hip limitation of flexion is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right hip limitation of extension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right hip limitation of abduction, adduction, and rotation is currently denied as compensable.

The Veteran's low back condition, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (right ankle condition), and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial rating of 20 percent for his right ankle condition with no higher.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted as service connected. The right knee disability receives a 30% rating for limitation of flexion and a 40% rating for limitation of extension. The right ankle osteoarthritis, status post fracture, receives a 20% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to errors in developing evidence prior to the initial decisions. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new examinations and additional information.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional relevant VA treatment records, specifically from her physical therapy sessions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right ankle Achilles tendonitis from November 1, 2016 to January 13, 2020 have been granted at a noncompensable (10%) level.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a new examination of his right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, low back disability, left forearm scar, cervical spine strain, and left ankle sprain due to incomplete opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding onset of his disabilities are not credible.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, cervical spine, low back, sleep apnea, and post-concussion syndrome. The appeals are now remanded to further develop evidence related to these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's ocular migraines have been granted a 50% rating, but the issues of left and right ankle pain are remanded for further examination.,An increased rating in excess of 30 percent for short bowel syndrome is also remanded.