Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle surgery required a period of convalescence, resulting in a temporary total evaluation for one month following her August 5, 2022, surgery. The effective date will be assigned by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, with some issues being remanded.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left ankle disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected disability. The Board found that there is not competent, credible evidence supporting these theories.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right elbow strain, right knee strain, and right ankle sprain as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for bilateral ankle disabilities (right and left) are granted prior to September 8, 2021.,The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for bilateral foot disabilities (bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis) is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left ankle multiple surgical scars and has remanded the issue of service connection for his right hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, and a right ankle condition were denied as there is no persuasive evidence of their onset during service or being related to service.,Service connection was not granted for diabetes, restless legs syndrome, left knee condition, and left hip condition due to lack of persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of examinations and etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's back condition, right leg condition, left ankle condition, and headaches. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle pain due to a lack of current diagnosis. The right ankle issue is remanded as the AOJ did not provide a medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, left knee, and right knee conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted service connection. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, subluxation status post meniscectomy, and scars are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right ankle disorder, including ankylosis or functional ankylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 29, 2019. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as he was employed full-time until that date.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent. Other conditions have either been denied or are not at issue.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need for updated SSA/SSDI records and employment/income information.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied again due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate notice and duty to assist errors. The Veteran is required to provide information about any private treatment records, which will be sought by VA.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his surgical scar of the lumbar spine is denied. The decision also denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remands the claims for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's left foot and heel pain, along with peripheral neuropathy, are now rated at 30 percent each.,Posterior and lateral left heel scars do not warrant a compensable rating.