Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has been notified of a withdrawal request from the appellant, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis with tendonitis and sprain, but remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD).

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of motion is rated at 10 percent, and his right ankle degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 30% for right ankle instability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms align with marked ankle instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders, including neck, ankle, shoulder, hip, leg, and knee conditions. The remand requires new medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of these disorders in relation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to attend VA examinations and incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records from Emory Healthcare Veterans Program.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to deficiencies in the prior examinations and requests for additional records. The Veteran will need new VA examinations for her sacroiliitis, left hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they did not begin during active duty or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and left arm conditions due to lack of evidence supporting a chronic condition since service.,The Board has also remanded the claim for service connection for the left shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder. Service connection is granted for this condition. The issue of service connection for OSA is remanded due to lack of a VA opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering his work history and lay statements regarding his ability to perform as an electrician or support technician.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right ankle conditions, finding that they are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left leg tibia and fibula malunion with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and DDD with neural impingement at the C6-C7 disc, and right shoulder tendonitis and arthritis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,High cholesterol is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes and thus, the claim for this condition is denied.,The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, and heart disability to obtain medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating. The claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent is remanded as the SOC has not yet been issued.,All other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including cervical spine disorder, right and left shoulder impingement syndrome and AC arthritis, right wrist tendinitis, left wrist tendinitis, right hand tendinitis, left hand tendinitis, right ankle tendinitis, and left ankle tendinitis. The issues are currently under further development.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities have been denied as service connection cannot be granted for PTSD due to lack of a valid clinical diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obesity, which is a component in determining whether his service-connected orthopedic and psychiatric disabilities cause or aggravate his obesity.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum allowable under current regulations. The claims for hip issues are granted with initial ratings, but none exceed the minimum compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine, bilateral foot, hearing loss, gastritis, GERD, sleep apnea, headaches, vision impairment, cervicalgia, knee disabilities, hip strains, and ankle strains.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted a 30 percent rating for the period prior to February 14, 2023 and denied any higher ratings. The Veteran also received an increased rating of 30 percent from February 14, 2023 onward.