Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back disability was denied, and the Board granted a TDIU from June 29, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and review of non-VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, right foot, left foot, and sleep apnea disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for left ankle DJD, status-post ligament surgery was granted. The other issues related to the left knee were remanded.

The Veteran's ankle and shin splint disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability from May 1, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating for either condition.,Service connection for various secondary disabilities (right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right hip, left hip, and foot pain) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right ankle strain and arthritis of the right ankle. The claims for service connection for a right knee disability and lumbar spine disability, both secondary to the right ankle disability, are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a gynecological disability (claimed as dysfunctional uterus syndrome), calcified granuloma, asthma, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and lumbosacral and left ankle disabilities. These claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions in light of potential toxic exposure from service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as bilateral metatarsalgia and ankle disabilities. The Veteran's current hip and thigh disabilities are also found to be secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis, left ankle scar, and eczema have been granted increased ratings to a 10 percent disability rating effective May 27, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete STRs and other missing records. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, but his claim remains pending on all other issues.

Service connection for a right ankle disability and nerve damage, including bilateral CTS, is granted.,Service connection for a neck disability is denied.,Service connection for a right hip disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his right shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, elbow, headaches, neck, chest pains, and dental issues. The VA will provide these examinations and obtain the necessary opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, low back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome and joint pain, tremors, and tinnitus are granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits. The claims for service connection for these conditions are based on presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as arthritis) remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (claimed as arthritis) remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right ankle strain remains pending.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examiner's curriculum vitae and private medical records. The RO will also schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hip, shoulder, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing based on this finding.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for multiple conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, bipolar disorder, and others. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result of the withdrawal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for a left ankle fracture, finding that new and material evidence was not presented.