Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in a previous decision and needs further examination to determine if any current left ankle disorder is related to active service.

The Board has dismissed all the claims related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to resend a copy of the April 28, 2023 SSOC to the Veteran at his correct address.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure. The right wrist, right ankle, lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, GERD, left ankle disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran must file a Statement of the Case (SOC) on these issues before he can appeal them further.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to newly associated evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of ischemic heart disease and TDIU prior to September 10, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle arthritis and instability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting right ankle disability was aggravated by service. However, the Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, concluding that it is not related to his now service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development. The right ankle disability, including its complications such as arthritis and instability, remains under review.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of increased rating for tinnitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left heel and foot disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, neurological disability of the left leg, and neurological disability of the right leg are now pending.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right ankle disability is granted. The Board has determined that the May 1979 rating decision denying service connection was not final, and thus the claim can be reopened. However, the Board also found that the May 2014 VA examination did not find any current right ankle disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's left ankle disability will need further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for a left corneal scar is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for her left ankle disability, characterized by limitation of motion, is remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is granted service connection. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral eye color blindness, but the cases of degenerative disc disease and post-traumatic right ankle osteoarthritis are remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo is granted, while his right ankle sprain with fracture of the lateral process of the right talus remains at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested to withdraw all BVA appeals that are currently pending at the BVA.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ankle sprain was dismissed. Service connection for MDD and PTSD was granted, but service connection for lumbosacral strain was denied.

The appeal regarding the right knee scar is dismissed. The issues of service connection for a right ankle condition and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded.