Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to new evidence received since June 2016. The ankle and knee disability claims are also being remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and low back disorder due to additional development being necessary. The claims are currently before the Board for adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations and because of incomplete records from private facilities. The case will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being submitted and a request for a waiver of initial AOJ consideration. The issues are now pending for readjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and ankle disabilities. The appeal is dismissed for the dental disorder.,For the remaining issues, the Board found that there was at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's current disabilities were incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability. The Veteran and his mother have provided credible lay testimony of continuity of symptomatology since service, which requires a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle condition, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition did not begin during active service.

The Board has remanded three issues: increased ratings for the right ankle, synovial cyst of the left knee, and depressive disorder prior to September 15, 2020. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with these other claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a skin disability. The heart, bilateral hearing loss, left leg, and left ankle disabilities are all remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disorder, right knee disability, and sleep apnea. The conditions are considered to be directly related to her periods of active duty.

The Board has remanded several cases related to the Veteran's disability ratings and effective dates for various conditions, including left ankle fracture with left calf atrophy, right shoulder strain, and posttraumatic headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right ankle disorder, and a left ankle disorder due to new evidence received by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to April 19, 2018 for a left ankle sprain rating and for an increase in his rating for left foot plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for this condition as of January 18, 2019.

The appeal for hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection granted for sleep apnea, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The tonsil condition issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's discharge from service does not constitute a bar to VA benefits. Service connection for paranoid schizophrenia is granted, but further examination and opinion are needed regarding right knee disability and left ankle disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tuberculosis, low back disability, and right ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing onset or relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of right knee injury, and residuals of right ankle injury. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left achilles tendonitis, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right ankle disability, and service connection for a right lower extremity nerve disability are remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of left foot, right foot, left ankle, and right ankle conditions. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic sinusitis, claimed as sinus issues. The claims of service connection for migraines and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle sprain prior to May 24, 2023, and from May 24, 2023 are remanded.