Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back and left ankle conditions, rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 9, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a stomach disability, left ankle disability, and low back disability. The Veteran's claims were also remanded for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities.,No specific rating was assigned in the decision.

The Board has found that further development is required before adjudication of the service connection claims can proceed. The Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records and VA treatment records from Monroeville, VA Outpatient Clinic need to be obtained.

The Veteran's initial increased disability ratings for tinnitus, right knee strain, and left ankle neuropathy were denied. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and marijuana use was also denied an increase in rating.,Issues related to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the Veteran's claims file since the September 2019 SOC and requires remand for AOJ consideration. The issues of service connection for left hip disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral ankle condition, and sleep apnea are all being remanded due to lack of proper consideration in previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ischemic heart disease, lumbosacral strain, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection and obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right shoulder conditions have been granted.,An effective date earlier than March 28, 2013 for the grant of service connection for left knee disability has not been established.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple conditions including left and right shoulder tendonitis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left hip arthritis with subsequent replacement, right hip tendonitis, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left and right ankle tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding his in-service MOS and post-service activities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various shoulder, hip, and ankle disorders that he believes are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded three issues: increased initial ratings for left ankle sprain and cervical strain, and the effective date of a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran is to be examined to assess his left ankle (including any associated instability) and cervical spine disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication. An opinion on when the radicular symptoms first manifested, and at what level of intensity prior to October 7, 2019, is also required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right ankle disorder, and a left knee disorder due to inadequate examination opinions and lack of medical evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis is rated at a maximum of 20 percent, the highest schedular rating available for limitation of motion. The decision grants this higher rating.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the purposes of determining service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain an adequate addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include his lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, knee, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, kidney condition, valvular heart disease, erectile dysfunction, cataracts, diabetes mellitus, GERD, stomach condition, asbestosis, ankle conditions, back disability, knee conditions, arthritis, right hip condition, and left hip condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shin splints and a left ankle sprain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by her active duty service. The appeal regarding residuals of surgery to both feet and a surgical scar on the right foot is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left foot condition, right foot condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition have not been addressed in this decision.

Service connection for muscle enzyme deficiency disorder is denied.,An initial increased rating of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, status post septoplasty, effective September 13, 2020, is granted. A higher rating is not warranted prior to that date.