Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the appeal for increased evaluations and extension of a temporary total evaluation is remanded due to incomplete procedural development. The Veteran's appeal seeking an increased initial evaluation for service-connected scars of the left ankle remains in appellate status.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic right wrist pain, chronic left wrist pain, chronic right ankle pain, and chronic left ankle pain as there is no current diagnosis of a wrist or ankle disability related to any disease or injury in service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the right ankle disability and granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for instability effective from May 17, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot and ankle disability, which is secondary to his already service-connected left knee disability. Further development is needed to obtain private treatment records from Central Medical Associates.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to locate the Veteran's service treatment records and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

Service connection is granted for left ankle degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right knee degenerative arthritis.,Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea and Meniere's disease.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The claims were not granted as the medical evidence did not support a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for a right ankle disorder and increased rating for cervical strain were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current right ankle disability or cervical spine disability that was caused by service, including as secondary to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left lower extremity disorder, including a left leg condition and a left ankle condition due to new evidence and additional development needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a right ankle disability was withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for chronic low back pain and tinnitus, but the claim for GERD remains pending as additional records are needed.

Service connection has been granted for patellofemoral pain syndrome of each knee, impingement syndrome of each ankle, and tinnitus. The claims for service connection for a right groin disorder, left lower leg muscle strain, right lower leg muscle strain, shin splints of the left leg, shin splints of the right leg, disability of the spine, and chipped upper right tooth due to trauma are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of a Haglund deformity and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with scheduling VA examinations and lack of medical opinions. The cases are now pending further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations to assess her current disability levels during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and denied service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, right hip, left hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to a withdrawal by the Veteran's representative in June 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, hypertension, and TDIU due to potential exposure to herbicide agents and lead paint during service. Additional development is needed to verify these exposures.

The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy and type II diabetes mellitus have been granted increased ratings, while erectile dysfunction and hypertension remain denied.,A separate initial disability rating of 10 percent has been granted for right ankle instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left heel pain and left ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities. The appeal for service connection for a headache disorder is also remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lichen planus simplex has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded.