Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's periods of service and duty status are unclear, necessitating a remand to clarify these details and obtain any missing service treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for left knee and ankle braces, as well as ketoconazole topical medication. The right knee brace was granted an allowance due to causing wear or tear on his clothing.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, finding that the fall in May 2008 aggravated his pre-existing left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's appeal with respect to PTSD, left ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability has been dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus (reopened) and tension headaches have been granted. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, right ankle Achilles rupture residuals, and right middle finger fracture are rated appropriately. The Veteran's left hand strain is denied a compensable rating. His TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of status post left ankle fracture did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The issues regarding increased ratings and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability that meets the criteria for a hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, left and right ankle conditions, left and right hip conditions, and migraine are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding that there is at least an equipoise of evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and his in-service injury. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation effective June 14, 2015. Effective that date, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and hypertension due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and DEA effective August 29, 2014 due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, including shin splints. The opinion must consider all pertinent evidence in the claims file and address whether there is any medical reason to accept or reject the Veteran's reports of chronic symptoms since service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis are denied as they are already at the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle strain, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The decision on the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The RO granted TDIU from March 29, 2018 to October 27, 2022.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for tinnitus as it was granted in a separate decision. The remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, including as due to Gulf War exposure, is remanded. The Board finds a new VA examination and medical opinion are needed.,The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied. No new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion, and separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for limitation of extension and instability. A 20 percent rating is granted for episodes of locking, pain, and swelling.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.