Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, ruling out any chronicity or continuity of symptoms. The Veteran's current pain is not related to his active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a left leg disorder as secondary to the service-connected back disorder. The VA examiner found no evidence of radiculopathy and noted that the Veteran had multiple risk factors for osteoarthritis, including obesity and alcohol use.,The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disorder. The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence to support that the right ankle problem was primarily caused by the left ankle.

The Board has remanded several rating decisions and service connection claims due to the submission of additional VA examination and treatment records since April 2019. The Veteran is advised to submit a waiver for these records or have them considered by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left ankle, left knee, and contact dermatitis disabilities due to additional development being needed.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to schedule VA examinations and conduct further development before deciding these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development of the record, including review of relevant STRs.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle, left knee, left elbow, and low back disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active duty or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted a rating of 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection.,The Board found that the evidence supported reopening the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to procedural issues and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis is granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective July 11, 2022. The right ankle degenerative arthritis remains at a 10 percent rating and the left ankle prior to July 11, 2022 remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right shoulder, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his education and occupational experience qualify him for such employment. The appeal is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes insipidus, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, left ankle sprain, and right shoulder injury.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development, specifically the need for additional medical records and an examination of the Veteran's bilateral ankle conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and left ankle conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2023 VA examinations, challenges to the competency of the examiner, and conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU for his right ankle disability have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, right ankle scars, and right carpal tunnel syndrome have also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions due to inadequate medical opinions in prior examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions to determine if his current knee, ankle, foot/toe, and shoulder disorders are related to service, specifically cold weather injuries/frostbite.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type 2 associated with asthma has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.,Her petition to reopen a claim of service connection for exercise induced asthma is also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a disability claimed as weight gain is dismissed. The issue of an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for her left ankle disability is granted.