Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for consideration of additional evidence, including VA hip and ankle examinations conducted in April 2022 and updated treatment records. The Veteran was advised to waive AOJ review if he did not want this evidence considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability can be adjudicated. The claims file must be updated with the Veteran's SSA records and earning reports, and the case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for recurring facial rash. The cases of right ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 40 percent effective November 6, 2017. The right ankle disorder is rated at 20 percent effective March 23, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the etiology of any right and left ankle disabilities, as well as any right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, kidney disease, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate efforts in scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities are granted secondary to service-connected conditions. His LUE and RUE peripheral neuropathy are also granted as secondary to his bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder (chronic lower back pain), and right lower extremity disorder (restless leg syndrome) as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence regarding the reported in-service injury. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and cause of his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including determining whether an increased rating is warranted for left ankle tendonitis with lateral collateral ligament sprain prior to May 30, 2023, and from May 30, 2023 and thereafter. The Veteran's left hip trochanteric pain syndrome was also remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected right ankle and muscle tear disabilities, with obesity acting as an intermediate step. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the Veteran's ankle disabilities and sleep disorder, as the previous examinations were inadequate. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for right foot condition and lung cancer are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's current 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected right ankle sprain is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's residuals of right wrist ganglion cyst were granted service connection as it was caused by an in-service right wrist ganglion cyst.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied due to the periodic flare ups not being causally related to active duty service.,Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or impairment associated with them.,The left elbow condition was denied as it did not onset during his active duty service and there were no symptoms reported after separation.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for a disability.,Service connection for a scar from left inguinal hernia repair was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.,Right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, was remanded as further examination and opinion are needed.,Cervical spine condition and high blood pressure were also remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The evidence does not show limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level or with flexion and/or abduction limited to 45 degrees.,The Veteran's left ankle fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting moderate limitation of motion. The evidence does not show marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional verification of his identity and periods of active service is needed before the issues can be addressed on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back disorder, depression, knee disorders, foot disorders, and ankle disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) by submitting a VA Form 10182 within 60 days of receiving a Supplemental Statement of the Case.