Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability, including arthritis. The Veteran needs a new examination and medical opinion to determine the etiology of his disability.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted as service-connected. The claim for reopening of the low back disability is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a bilateral ankle disability, both diagnosed to include arthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions and a painful abdominal condition due to insufficient evidence of their etiology. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's back disability, including headaches and fatigue, residuals of TBI, left ankle impingement syndrome, and left foot plantar fasciitis are granted initial ratings. However, the issues related to service connection for these conditions remain pending as they require additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and missing records. The right ankle issues need further examination, while the psychiatric disorder claim requires a VA examination and review of medical history.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left foot condition and residuals of right foot and ankle injury due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 4, 2022, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her right ankle sprain, finding that her limitation of motion did not more nearly approximate 'marked' limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for bronchial asthma and arteriosclerotic heart disease were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability. The right ankle and right knee conditions were granted service connection based on their relationship to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection remain remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's GERD and OSA are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. His arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knees, ankles, and hips is also being remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle condition is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's headaches, chest wall nerve damage, leg disorder, ankle disorder, and foot disorder are all found to be secondary to his service-connected right lung upper lobe large-cell carcinoma, status post thoracotomy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The issues include hypertension, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, left ankle disorder, left hip/groin disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, pelvic tumors, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, finding that his left ankle scars/wounds were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed knee, ankle, shoulder, and elbow disorders, as well as his cervical spine disorder. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which are inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.