Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left wrist sprain with de Quervain's syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as well as his left ankle traumatic arthritis. The decision on compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied. The Board found that the disability has been rated at its maximum and no higher ratings are warranted. For his TDIU claim, the Veteran was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment was remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Board found that the AOJ did not consider whether his service-connected disabilities of the right lower extremities resulted in loss of use.

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and tinea pedis have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Right ankle pain has been remanded, indicating that further evidence or clarification is needed.

The Veteran's unspecified bipolar disorder with depression began during active service and is now granted as a result of receiving new relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, incontinence, and OSA is dismissed. Service connection for a back disability is granted with a 20% rating from August 23, 2019 to February 18, 2020.

The Veteran's dermatitis, OSA as secondary to PTSD, left ankle arthritis, and right ankle arthritis are all granted service connection.,The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are required to determine whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities are etiologically related to service. The claims for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, C6 radiculopathy, knee disorders, and ankle disorders are being remanded.

The Board has found that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the issues of service connection for various ankle, knee, foot, and back disabilities. The AOJ must provide new VA examinations and obtain adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active service.,The Veteran's right wrist tendon strain, right ankle tendonitis, and lumbar disability are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination reports.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to incomplete VA records not being obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 22, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (right and left), and right ankle disability have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide VA examinations for the ankle disabilities and TBI.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to a procedural error in the original decision. The claims will be reconsidered with proper examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis and degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 20 percent effective November 29, 2018.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for his service-connected right ankle disability was granted. He is now rated at 30 percent, but no higher, with an effective date of December 1, 2020.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, right and left hip disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and cervical spine disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle conditions, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of medical records and an inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue where the AOJ did not accept the Appellant's timely VA Form 20-0996 Higher Level Review request for review of the June 2020 decision. The AOJ should now conduct a higher level review.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, neck, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, right shoulder, and right arm disabilities based on their onset during service.,Service connection is also granted for TMJ dysfunction and sleep-related bruxism, but the evidence does not support a link to service.