Ankle decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left ankle recurrent sprain, TBI, and headaches were denied. The claim to reopen service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for neck, back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, but has remanded them for further development to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty service or due to his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his service-connected disabilities, including altered gait or body mechanics.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation at any time during the appeal period.,For his service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, low back disability, and right shoulder disability, the Board has remanded these issues to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and additional development is needed, including obtaining in-service treatment records from Fort Jackson base hospital. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, bilateral foot conditions (excluding skin disability), and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left ankle, and right flank disorders due to incomplete examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating or effective date at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, right elbow degenerative joint disease, and others, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 13, 2021.

The Veteran's left ankle strain and erectile dysfunction cases are remanded for further evaluation. The left ankle case requires a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability, including whether he experiences flare-ups with additional functional loss during such episodes. For the erectile dysfunction claim, a physical examination is needed to determine its severity.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle conditions, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral achilles spurs are etiologically related to his active-duty service.,Service connection was denied for left and right knee conditions due to a lack of evidence showing any currently diagnosed disabilities or functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle condition was denied because he failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including eye conditions, foot and ankle disabilities, fatigue syndrome, cysts, and warts. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his treatment from private medical providers who may have treated him for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions on direct service connection and aggravation. The TDIU claim is also deferred until the other issues are resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings, finding that the appeals were not properly filed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hip, knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for an ulcer of the right foot and a fracture of the ankle due to outstanding SSA records and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle arthritis but remanded the case to determine if left ankle arthritis is related to service.