Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right ankle conditions have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral foot, lower back, and right knee conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that there is a need for further examination and development due to the lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's left ankle disability claim will be returned for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the SMC loss of use claim.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left ankle disabilities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied, with the Board finding that none of his service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete medical opinions regarding functional loss without medication. The Veteran is also required to complete a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined schedular evaluation did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for lower back strain with DDD was granted, along with separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU was also granted. Service connection for sleep apnea was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for corneal scarring was withdrawn. The left ankle fracture residuals, status-post surgery, are rated at 10 percent.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and the Veteran is granted a TDIU as of June 21, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis and other respiratory disorders due to a lack of VA examination, and will provide updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis, left ankle condition, and right hip replacement due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's testimony and private opinions suggest a connection to service, but further examination is needed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including new VA examinations and medical opinions to address his lumbar spine disorder, ankle disorders, peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability. The examiner is asked to provide a new opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the disability was incurred during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for left tibia disability, right tibia disability, and both ankle strains. Service connection is denied for a left foot disability other than claw foot, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, hammer toes, and degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeals for otitis externa and urinary frequency were dismissed. The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability, a left trapezoid disability, and a testicular disability are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant), left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant), right shoulder acromioclavicular joint strain (dominant), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in April 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as a TDIU from April 22, 2015, were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective from April 22, 2015.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for decision due to the need for additional development. The issues include a left shoulder disability, PTSD, left ankle tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified insomnia disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating. The claim for TDIU from March 1, 2019 forward was granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various foot and leg disabilities, as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability. The case is returned to the AOJ for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, initial ratings greater than 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, as well as initial ratings greater than 10 percent for left and right knee joint osteoarthritis.