Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and his claim for a higher rating was granted with an effective date of May 2, 2018.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, characterized as a left ankle inversion sprain with chronic instability, is rated at 20 percent effective April 5, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, left hand disability, right hand disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to additional evidentiary development. The Veteran's service treatment records show multiple injuries during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability may be related to his military service, but more evidence is needed to confirm this. The case is being remanded for further development and examination.

The appeal for service connection of a cervical condition is dismissed.,Service connection granted for left and right ankle conditions, with the Board finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service complaints and treatment.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, effective August 22, 2018. The TDIU claim for low back disability is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder due to its resolution in favor of the Veteran. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The right and left hip disorders are remanded for further examination. The ratings for the ankle disabilities are also remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the Veteran's right ankle condition rated at 30 percent, as well as increased ratings for his left and right ankles. The decision also noted that the Veteran was already in receipt of a total rating due to his right ankle condition.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective January 18, 2013, based on his service-connected disabilities. The effective date is the earliest date that the claim for a TDIU arose, which was less than one year prior to receipt of the February 2013 application.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and bone spurs, bilateral feet/ankles have been granted. The decision on the hypertension claim is remanded.

Service connection is granted for thrombosis of the left axillary and subclavian vein. The Board also finds that service connection is warranted for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, left ankle, left shoulder, right shoulder, epicondylitis of the left elbow, epicondylitis of the right elbow, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. Service connection was not granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, or left upper extremity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities due to lack of new and relevant evidence since the May 2020 decision.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The initial rating for other specified trauma and stress-related disorder remains at 30 percent, right ankle residuals remain noncompensable, and there is no evidence of a compensable rating for the remaining conditions.

The Board has decided that the service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and left knee conditions need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. The left ankle impairment claim is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective July 25, 2019. Service connection for back, left shoulder, and somatic disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his left ankle disability, including whether he has ankylosis.,An earlier effective date for service connection and increased rating for headaches are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left ankle disability remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD and chronic constipation. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 14, 2019.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder.,Entitlement to service connection for neurofibromatosis, eye disorder, acquired mental disorder, breast cancer, edema, neck disorder, low back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of February 9, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to February 29, 2012.