Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to new evidence being added to the record, and the Veteran wishes for AOJ review of this additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle symptoms are equivalent to ankylosis, even though he does not have a diagnosis of ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right thumb/hand disorders, right elbow and ankle disabilities, left hip strain, neck disability, and left shoulder disability due to additional development being required.

Graves' Disease, Hyperthyroidism, and Thyroid Disorder are denied as not related to service.,Left Ear Hearing Loss is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or relationship to service.,Allergic Rhinitis (Sinusitis) requires further examination for a determination on its relation to service.,Right Ankle Deltoid Ligament Sprain and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain are remanded as the etiology is unclear.,Left Ankle Deltoid Ligament Sprain and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain are also remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical evaluations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee total arthroplasty and left ankle degenerative joint disease, as well as whether there is any potential limiting of the issues. The Veteran must also be provided notice regarding his claim for an increased rating for his left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions, including left thumb fracture, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, right shoulder and knee conditions, ankle and foot conditions, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claims. The Veteran is being asked to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service, including any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disorder was granted in October 2022, but the appeal is moot as it has been granted.,For the period prior to September 8, 2015, the Veteran's residuals of left total hip replacement were rated at 50%.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, elbow disorder, and left ankle disorder due to new evidence submitted after the initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety with depression has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremity, bilateral leg orthopedic disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis of the shoulders, arthritis of the neck, sinus disorder, right eye disorder (glaucoma and cataract), erectile dysfunction, and heart disorder have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches is granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and sleep apnea, as well as claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records.,No effective date is provided as the appeal involves ongoing disability evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip, left knee, and left ankle conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset are considered.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations for left ankle and left hand disorders. Additional evaluations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine condition, bilateral foot condition, right ankle skin condition, and knee conditions. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of left shoulder, elbow, thigh/groin, knee, and ankle disabilities due to lack of current disability. The back and pulmonary disorder claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability, which is currently considered a direct service connection issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial rating periods for right knee limitation of extension, right knee limitation of flexion, and right ankle disability have been denied. The RO has assigned noncompensable (0%) ratings for the right knee limitation of flexion since November 13, 2021, and reduced the right knee rating to 20% from December 1, 2015. The right ankle disability is rated at 20%, effective November 26, 2014.