Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial rating claims for various wrist, shoulder, ankle, hip, and knee disabilities have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for chronic rhinitis under the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various lower extremity conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show marked limited motion of the ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of explanation for the evaluation of ankle instability or dislocation, and requested an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board has restored service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture status post ORIF, scar from a right ankle fracture post ORIF, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as the RO did not provide proper notice regarding the Veteran's character of discharge.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed from the Veteran's federal disability retirement and VA treatment providers to properly adjudicate his claims. The cases are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle and foot disorders, as well as right foot disorder, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether the character of the Veteran's discharge from service and his right ankle disability are eligible for VA benefits. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence, including service connection for various conditions secondary to existing disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Service connection for a left ankle condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various foot and ankle disorders due to insufficient opinions addressing aggravation or direct service connection, as well as new evidence being needed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle with pain on motion is remanded due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for such a rating. Other service connection claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's initial requests for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities prior to February 22, 2019 were denied. For the period as of February 22, 2019, a rating of over 10 percent was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate etiology opinions and outstanding records. The issues include right shoulder, left shoulder, left knee, tinnitus, left foot, right ankle, and asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, and therefore, the appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in his income information and need for clarification regarding left ankle instability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle condition, finding that the current right ankle degenerative arthritis is at least as likely as not caused by active duty service.