Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected right ankle disability is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the severity of his condition, including during flare-ups and after repeated use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The appeal of the issue regarding higher ratings for a surgical scar of the neck is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints is denied. The Board finds that there is no current evidence to support the Veteran's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder, diagnosed as osteochondroma and achilles tendon enthesopathy. The issues of service connection for a right ankle neurological disorder and a right foot disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's diagnosed obesity, which is related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, was a result of his service-connected conditions. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right ankle condition, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and resultant spinal fusion with radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and right foot drop are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 20% disability rating for his right ankle condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he was still employed at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new examination to ensure substantial compliance with prior remand directives related to obtaining an examination report that complies with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between military service and these conditions.,For the right ankle condition and left ankle condition, the appeal is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as service-connected due to a link with his service-connected traumatic brain injury.,Service connection for dental disability or condition is denied. The Veteran does not have a compensable dental disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma and has been granted service connection.,Bilateral ankle degenerative arthritis, MDD (depression), and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome are all found to have a relationship to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for left and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's periods of honorable active service.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU have been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for right foot, left foot, cervical spine, left ankle, right knee, and left knee conditions have been granted.,These issues are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination of the Veteran's right ankle disability. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for right foot, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee and cervical spine disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records. The Board also found that a new examination is needed in several cases.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is remanded for a new examination to assess the current nature and severity of his injury.