Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims and increased rating for his right ankle disability and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder (COPD and emphysema), lumbar spine disability, ankle disability, and shin splints due to inadequate evidence of service connection. Additional VA examinations are needed to address etiology.

The Veteran's right ulnar nerve impingement is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, left middle finger disability, hiatal hernia with GERD, spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, and left ankle disability are all granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disability, right knee disabilities (post-prosthetic replacement and prior), left shoulder disability, and right ankle disability. The TDIU claim is also on appeal for a period prior to March 18, 2015.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service-connected due to being proximately due to his service connected alcohol use disorder. The claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder evaluation in excess of 30 percent, TDIU, traumatic brain injury (TBI), vertigo secondary to TBI, degenerative arthritis or DDD of the lumbar spine, right elbow condition, and right ankle condition are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of their left ankle disability is being remanded due to the issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). Additional evidence was added to the claims file, but no SSOC has been issued yet.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the RO to issue an SOC addressing his claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings and the propriety of a rating reduction. The appeals remain in the Legacy appeals system.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and right ankle disability as there is no evidence of a current disability or association with service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for migraine headaches. The claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and right ankle conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, lumbar spine disorder, headache disorder, respiratory disorder, and sleep apnea due to outstanding development needs.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis, left foot and ankle is remanded due to inadequate VA examination results.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for various knee, ankle, and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to incomplete medical records. The AOJ must obtain these records from private providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including TBI, neck disability, skin condition involving the feet, low back disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability. The claims are being addressed on the merits due to new evidence received since the previous denials.

The Veteran's appeals for left knee, right ankle, and cervical conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, elbow, and hand and finger disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.,The VA examinations provided clear opinions that the diagnosed conditions are not directly linked to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain and radiculopathy in both legs as well as ankle pain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since July 14, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left lung disorder and left ankle disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and osteoarthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the asthma claim, and denied service connection for anxiety disorder, right foot disability, and right ankle disability due to lack of in-service injury or diagnosis. Service connection was also denied for a back disability as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from June 14, 2018, received a separate rating.