Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left ankle fracture, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left knee scar as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for reopening due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development regarding service connection for a right ankle disorder.

All appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all issues.,An effective date of January 26, 2018, has been granted for a 50 percent disability evaluation for headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and adjudication due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decisions. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities are being examined again, and his entitlement to TDIU is also being addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disorders, left ankle disorders, lumbar spine disorders, and sciatica of the left lower extremity. The appeals are remanded for further examination to determine if a current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to address the merits of his claims due to conflicting evidence and lack of definitive medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the appeals for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, vision disability, hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for hypertension are timely. The claims will be remanded to further adjudicate these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, but the back disability remains remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left ankle swelling, ED, obstructive sleep apnea, and macular degeneration, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM). The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's residuals of twisted left ankle, finding that his symptoms more closely approximate marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the lower left extremity is secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.,His right and left knee disabilities are also considered secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and ankle conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 22, 2010 to March 8, 2016.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability due to new and material evidence received since the July 2014 rating decision. However, the issue of entitlement to service connection remains pending as remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing continuity of symptomatology from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder and left ankle disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a left eye injury is denied as there is no evidence of an identified disability.,The Veteran's claim for a sleep disorder is denied as the condition was not diagnosed until after service, and there is no chronicity of symptoms from service.,The Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board finds that his current psychiatric condition is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Prior to July 20, 2020, the Veteran's left ankle strain was manifested by moderate limited motion and a rating of 10% was assigned.,From July 20, 2020, the Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10%, but no higher.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent and his left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, both under DCs 5003-5271.,The criteria for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle disability have not been met. The Veteran's current ratings are already at the maximum schedular level.