Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity disability, jaw disability, bilateral knee disability, left and right shin splints, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active duty and continuity since then.,Service connection for low back condition, lung scarring, residuals of pneumonia, and mild lingular scarring is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions.,Service connection for joint and muscle pain, headaches, memory loss, and fatigue is also remanded as there are no clear findings or opinions regarding Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to March 18, 2022 is denied due to not meeting the requirements of permanent and total disability. The case is REMANDED as new information on income and unreimbursed medical expenses from March 18, 2022 to present is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for the right ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), finding that the appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions was not based on willful and persistent misconduct. The appeal is granted in part.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on GERD and a right shoulder disability, as well as the denials of service connection for alopecia, bronchitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, lentigo, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been dismissed due to his withdrawal during a hearing before the undersigned. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle and right foot pes planus disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right great toe disability.,However, a rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right great toe with hallux rigidus is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for his knee, hip, and ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in prior examinations. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions that reconcile with a June 2018 private opinion letter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and left ankle disorders due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as additional medical opinions are required to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability are all granted. The effective dates for these grants are the date of claim (April 9, 2014 for PTSD, May 20, 2015 for other disabilities).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee arthritis with meniscal tear prior to January 9, 2019 and after March 1, 2019 is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee replacement scar is also remanded. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee arthritis (status post replacement) is also remanded.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, which the RO denied as not shown to be related to service. The issue is being remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.,The Veteran's claim for pulmonary sarcoidosis is being remanded due to possible exposure to asbestos and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right elbow disability, which the RO denied as not related to service. The issue is being remanded due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right wrist disability, which the RO denied as not related to service. The issue is being remanded due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals in service.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent higher ratings for left ankle disability are granted, with a temporary total rating prior to April 5, 2022. A TDIU is granted effective since June 1, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to attend VA examinations. The Veteran provided good cause for missing the initial examinations, and he is being asked to undergo new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The right ankle disability is found to be the cause of his left ankle arthritis, chronic pain disorder, and sleep deficiency.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been added to the claims file and must be reviewed by the AOJ before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, lower back pain, scars, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a right ankle disorder have been dismissed as there are no remaining questions of fact or law to be decided.,Service connection has been granted for the following conditions: left shoulder separation s/p acromioclavicular joint sprain, lumbar strain, scars of the left upper and right lower extremities, scar of the left upper extremity, scar of the right lower extremity, and schizoaffective disorder, depressed type. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle sprain, right ankle disorder, status post healed fracture to left foot, and right foot disorder have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address relevant evidence in the November 2009 memorandum from J.E.J., PAC, MPAS. The Veteran's bilateral ankle condition is related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities prior to September 27, 2002 due to a need for further development and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his in-service injury. The Veteran did not have chronic symptoms since his separation from service and had a long career as a mail carrier before experiencing the onset of his current symptomology.