Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left ankle clonus disability rating was improperly reduced from 60% to 10%, and the rating is restored to 60%. The reduction was found to be improper due to insufficient notice provided by VA.

The Veteran's claims for compensation due to a jaw disability, and ratings greater than 10 percent for left and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprains have been denied. The Board found no additional disability resulting from VA treatment.

The Board denied service connection for right and left eye disabilities, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain, bilateral knee instability and meniscal condition, and low back disability are all granted. The right ankle sprain is granted with service connection established. Increased ratings for the knees and a lower rating for the low back prior to August 17, 2022 are also granted.

The Veteran's residuals of right ankle fracture were granted a rating of 20 percent from May 3, 2011, to May 26, 2016, and April 1, 2017, to October 27, 2019. The appeal is denied for the period from October 28, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU prior to January 8, 2020 are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Board will consider whether extraschedular consideration is warranted for the right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding bilateral athlete's foot and consideration of newly submitted evidence. The issues of service connection for various conditions remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher initial evaluations were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal should be addressed under the Legacy system and accepts his VA Form 10182 as a timely Notice of Disagreement. The AOJ must now send an SOC addressing the issues on appeal, including service connection for lower back injury, left ankle injury, cervical spine injury, and head injury with concussion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left ankle sprains due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his in-service injuries, as per a VA opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability due to insufficient compliance with previous instructions and the need for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected right and left knee, shin splints, and ankle strain residuals. The issues include rating adjustments and TDIU prior to July 6, 2017.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent from January 29, 2020.,A compensable rating of 10 percent for painful, right foot scars was granted prior to September 6, 2017. A higher rating of 20 percent has been granted since September 6, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The appeals for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as left eye cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and hip conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle disability for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected right ankle degenerative arthritis prior to May 4, 2018. The case is remanded for further development regarding the evaluation of the service-connected right total ankle arthroplasty from July 1, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for colon cancer, increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities, an earlier effective date for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a TDIU after March 29, 2016 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his open appeals.