Ankle decisions — 2023

Service connection for back disability is granted.,Service connection for neck disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are denied. Service connection for neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity and left lower extremity is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the Veteran's refusal to attend VA examinations. The claim will be returned for further development, including a new VA examination by a board-certified podiatrist.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues being denied or remanded. The Veteran received a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain prior to July 28, 2022, and an increase in the rating of his left ankle disorder from noncompensable to 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder and a bilateral eye disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left ankle disabilities from April 2, 2012 were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, right knee, left ankle, sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea), left shoulder osteoarthritis, PTSD, and hypothyroidism. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to in-service parachute jumps or undiagnosed illnesses/chronic multisymptom illnesses, as well as considering the impact of obesity caused by service-connected disabilities on his current symptoms.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating will be remanded so that addendum opinions can address the issues raised by the Board.

The Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis with anterior and lateral instability has been rated at 20 percent effective February 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, hip, and knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing direct service connection.

The appeal of the recoupment of separation pay benefits from VA disability compensation is denied. The dental condition for treatment purposes issue is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's increased rating claim for a right ankle fracture due to the need for additional examination and clarification of all manifestations related to his service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current extent and severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee, left ankle, right ankle, left shin splint, and right shin splint. The claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to evidence suggesting a worsening in the severity of these conditions.

The Board partially vacated the September 6, 2022 decision due to a failure of timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) for left radial nerve and left ankle disability claims. The claims are now remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to incomplete VA examinations, specifically regarding instability of the Veteran's right and left ankle joints and right knee.

The Board has found additional development is required due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions and remanded the claims for left foot, left ankle, right knee, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.,Petitions to revise previous rating decisions based on CUE were dismissed without prejudice. The effective dates of service connection awards were also dismissed without prejudice.

The previously denied claims of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities are reopened.,Presumptive service connection for coronary artery disease is granted, based on the PACT Act.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the claims for bilateral ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service or a service-connected condition. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion that considers all relevant medical and lay evidence, including the Veteran's in-service complaints and his statements about how his current disability may be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's left ankle strain received a 20 percent rating from December 19, 2016 until prior to November 6, 2019.,For the period beginning on January 1, 2021, the Veteran's left ankle status-post total arthroplasty was rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right ankle condition has been dismissed due to the appellant's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with this case.