Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, right ankle, left ankle, and back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee disability), left ankle sprain, and ingrown right great toenail are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability or service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is also remanded as the opinion provided by the VA examiner was inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, left ankle condition, dry eyes syndrome, and back condition.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for bilateral foot drop and left ankle disability as there is no longer an issue in controversy due to the grant of service connection for bilateral foot drop.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals before the Board, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to a failure of the RO to fully assist the Veteran with his claim, specifically regarding evidence from 2014. The RO is instructed to seek any and all records related to the Veteran's 2014 claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. The claims for service connection for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disorders as well as migraines due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hip condition, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of left shoulder, left ankle, and right ankle conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various joint disabilities, including left shoulder, left hip, bilateral knee (right knee osteoarthritis specifically), and bilateral ankle conditions. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for hips, legs, feet, sinus, right ankle, PFB, hepatitis C, arterial occlusion, and heart murmur disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The claims are now before the Board for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are reopened. Service connection is granted for PTSD but denied for a heart disorder. The issues regarding the relationship between service-connected knee disability and the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disorders are remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 30, 2016 for a TDIU based on the schedular criteria. The claim for TDIU prior to June 30, 2016 is remanded due to lack of schedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back, wrist, knee, ankle and elbow disorders due to insufficient medical opinions. The inflammatory arthritis claim is also remanded as it involves potential exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Board has vacated its May 2023 decision due to the Veteran's death before it was issued, and the appeal will be re-docketed with a substituted Appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection of a stress fracture of the right ankle/foot due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected condition, including any flare-ups or repetitive use over time.