Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to allow the Veteran to file a VA Form 9 to perfect his appeal. The issues include service connection for a right ankle disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot bursitis, and an initial compensable rating for scar of the left foot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of right foot disability, right ankle disability, and TBI due to new medical evidence being associated with the case file.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient etiological opinions provided by VA examiners. A new examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gouty arthritis of the right ankle and bilateral first metatarsophalangeal joints were denied as a result of his failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and entitlement to TDIU prior to July 1, 2022 due to inadequate development in previous remands.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back condition, cervical spine condition, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, bilateral ankle conditions, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board also found that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for tinnitus, GERD, hypertension, left hand condition, right hand condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, neck disability, and right ankle condition. The new evidence received since the last denial is relevant to an in-service event that the Veteran believes caused his disabilities and a nexus between service and the disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn her appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence that has not been considered by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's left wrist strain and right ankle sprain are not rated higher than 10 percent.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, as the Veteran does not have a present hearing disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file.,Service connection for right knee strain is remanded due to inadequate opinion from the 2014 VA examination.,Service connection for hemorrhoids is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals, including those for disability ratings and service connection. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his chronic left and right ankle strains have been denied as the evidence does not show that they meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate for the claims of service connection for various knee, ankle, lumbar spine, sleep apnea, and hearing loss disabilities. The Veteran's conditions are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain necessary medical opinions as requested in prior remands and thus, another remand is needed to address the service connection claims for various orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's obesity and left ankle disorder (arthritis) are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder (flat feet) is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, several conditions were found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted a 30% rating from March 6, 2014. The TDIU claim was also granted effective April 13, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's representative requested a videoconference hearing, but withdrew it in October 2021. A claim for TDIU has been raised as part of the increased rating claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including low back, cervical spine, left shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle conditions. The Veteran's hypertension was also not found to be service-connected.