Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right ankle condition and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted service connection, but the appeal for these issues is dismissed as they are considered fully granted.,The Veteran's stroke with residuals has been denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The Board found that the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.,For lumbar spine disability, the Veteran was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 10, 2018. The current rating is based on forward flexion limited to 45 degrees with no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome.,For right ankle disability, a 10 percent rating was granted effective March 10, 2018. The Veteran's disability is characterized by moderate ankle symptoms including painful motion and limited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, right and left ankle disorders, and right and left knee disorders are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence to support an in-service injury or disease and that it is not related to his service-connected bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, right knee condition, left knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for each of the conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine prior to February 3, 2020. However, beginning February 3, 2020, the Veteran is granted a 30% evaluation for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate or incomplete opinions in previous VA examinations and evaluations.

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

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied in part. The left knee strain is rated at 10% for limitation of extension and flexion, while the left ankle disability (prior to April 10, 2017) remains rated at 10%. However, since April 10, 2017, a rating of 30% has been granted for ankylosis of the left ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right ankle, right hand, and right wrist disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left ankle conditions due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired deformity of the right shin, a right ankle disability with pain, and a left knee disability manifested by swelling and flare-ups due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is advised to provide medical records and attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for mechanical low back pain with herniated disc at L3-4, residuals of right ankle fracture, and stress fracture of the right femur were denied as there was no evidence provided by a VA examination due to the Veteran's failure to report.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability and whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate rationale provided by VA examiners and inconsistencies in previous opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right eye congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium OD, and remanded claims for a right eye disability, right ankle disability, right foot disability, and right hand disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure of the VA to obtain medical opinions and provide proper notice. The claims will be adjudicated again after obtaining necessary information and conducting further examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to her in-service injury.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as none of her service-connected disabilities, alone, are severe enough to prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.