Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral pes cavus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cause of death and service connection for hypertension and arteriosclerosis of the coronary artery. Additional medical opinions are needed, and terminal hospital records must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee injury, left knee injury, and left ankle injury due to incomplete STRs and potential errors in the Veteran's dates of active duty.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been granted initial 20 percent ratings.,Both ankles are rated under Diagnostic Code 5271, which pertains to marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim regarding the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for 63 training days in FY 2019 is dismissed because she already received the adjustment and reimbursement.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's arthritic disabilities, including gout and degenerative arthritis of the ankles, and his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right ankle post traumatic arthritis due to insufficient examination findings, specifically a lack of use of a goniometer during the examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a unilateral right eye condition, but the left ankle and headache conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ankle disorder and left ankle disorder due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's claims are related to his service-connected right knee instability and injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that her education and experience are sufficient for her to obtain substantial employment in the healthcare sector as a tele-nurse or administrator.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and evaluation, including service connection claims for back disability, left ankle disability, left heel disability, and hemorrhoids. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his right ankle disability and gout affecting the upper and lower extremities.

The Board dismissed the issues of compensable ratings for right and left tibia stress fractures due to the Veteran's withdrawal prior to the promulgation of a decision. The case is remanded for readjudication of increased rating claims, TDIU claim, and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle strain is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain resulted in painful limitation of motion, warranting a 10% rating from December 1, 2013.

The Board has decided the extension of the temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery for a service-connected ankle disability, and has remanded the issues regarding post-convalescence rating in excess of 20 percent for right ankle fracture with residual traumatic arthritis and TDIU.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for left ankle impingement syndrome and degenerative arthritis, effective August 31, 2020. However, the claim of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left ankle disability is remanded due to improper reduction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, right foot nerve damage, left foot nerve damage, and bilateral foot disorder are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and chronic sinus disorder are remanded due to the need for a VA examination and determination of potential TERA exposures.,reasoning_summary

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, both found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected right foot injury.

The Veteran's claims for anxiety, depression, and Meniere's disease have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for other conditions are remanded.