Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives, as well as deficiencies in medical opinions provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining an adequate examination and reviewing all pertinent evidence submitted since the October 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus no further action will be taken on these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from August 8, 2011, through May 4, 2014, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disorders are rated at 30 percent each, effective from August 31, 2016. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement and arthritis of the right ankle. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the SMC issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability during the appeal period, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has identified multiple issues related to the Veteran's hip and ankle conditions, as well as hypertension. These claims are being remanded for further development and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's left elbow status-post avulsion fracture, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain have been granted service connection with a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability has also been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional VA medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle strain conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, right knee, and spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing their etiology.,A TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues above.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) remand. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a left hip disorder was dismissed.,The claims for service connection for headaches, left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left shoulder disorder were all reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue is denied. The initial rating for migraine headaches prior to March 22, 2016 is granted at 50 percent. Service connection claims for various joint and tinnitus conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder, lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle.

The Board has identified several issues for remand, including claims related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right ankle disorder, sinusitis, and service connection for shoulder dislocation. The Veteran also requested a review of an August 2015 rating decision regarding her right shoulder condition.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to September 20, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, right and left ankle disorders, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine, stomach, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities due to their being aggravated by preexisting conditions.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and left testicle varicocele with voiding dysfunction are granted. The Veteran is assigned a 40% rating for the left testicle varicocele condition.