Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical segmental dysfunction and left ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of these conditions having onset during service. The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for back strain was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and insomnia due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of cervical spine, lower back, right ankle, and right wrist disabilities. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder are not service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding his service-connected ankle condition and its relationship to his diagnosed degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and/or depression), and prostate disability due to service. The AOJ is directed to schedule examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.

The appeals seeking increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been dismissed. The issues of service connection for a left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right hand/wrist disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and foot disability (including pes planus and plantar fasciitis) are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for right ankle, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. The Board finds these issues are not resolved and requires further examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right ankle, right shoulder, or left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder, right knee disorder, and several musculoskeletal disorders are granted service connection. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. The Veteran's claims for left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, right elbow, left wrist, right wrist, left hip, right hip, left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence received since the last denial.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, bilateral pes planus, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right leg condition, and left leg condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or caused by his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of higher ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine, and a left ankle disability.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of higher disability ratings for left ankle disability and left ankle surgical scar.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service connection for peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity and left ankle was granted with a rating of 30 percent, effective August 6, 2018.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any ankle disorders and acquired psychiatric disorder, including seeking out private treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hip condition, right ankle strain, lumbosacral strain, muscle injury of the left thigh and calf, and sciatica. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no current diagnosis or medical evidence linking her claimed conditions to her military service.

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