Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral ankle, shoulder, and back disabilities was dismissed due to the failure to timely file a VA Form 10182 within one year of the December 1997 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will provide further examination and opinion regarding the nature and cause of any obstructive sleep apnea and left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various hip and ankle conditions due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran must provide a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 25, 2019 for various service connection and increased rating claims. The Veteran's original claim was filed through his local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) on January 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle scars was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 or 7805.

The Veteran's right knee disability was not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition, and the temporary total rating for surgery due to her ankle/foot issue is also denied.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae as moot due to a prior grant of service connection under the 'legacy' system. The claims for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU benefits are granted with an effective date of January 1, 2018, as the evidence shows he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for his left ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in the severity of his condition within one year prior to June 18, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The Board finds service connection for tinnitus is warranted due to in-service noise exposure and credible lay statements of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities has been dismissed due to withdrawal of claims by the Veteran and his attorney.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, depression and anxiety, and a bilateral ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a lumbosacral strain with DJD Lumbosacral Spine. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sinusitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder and left ankle disorder are both denied as there is no current diagnosis of the conditions during the pendency of her claim.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. A VA medical opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and OSA have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.,Service connection has been established for PTSD, hypertension, and OSA based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for his left ankle condition, as well as his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his left ankle condition, are being remanded due to the need for further development or clarification.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,Initial compensable evaluations for the surgical scars of the right and left knees were denied.,Service connection for a left ankle/achilles disability (tendonitis) is granted, but initial compensable evaluations are not warranted.,A remand is required to obtain an adequate medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed left ankle/achilles disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was withdrawn. The claims of increased rating for left shoulder disability, recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, and left ankle sprain were denied. Service connection for asthma, GERD, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and adjustment disorder), prostate cancer, and emphysema were all denied.