Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, lower back strain, and a left leg condition including numbness due to insufficient evidence of their onset in service or otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for acne, herpes, right ankle pain, left ankle pain, low back pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, esophageal reflux, tinea versicolor, insomnia, and stress incontinence due to additional VA treatment records being added to her case file.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right ankle, and right shoulder disabilities as well as back disability due to the lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar, right ankle, and right foot disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is granted service connection and rated at 20 percent.,Her chronic lumbar strain (back disability) is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the rating for GERD with hiatal hernia was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The appeals for PTSD, low back disability, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle instability has been granted a 30 percent evaluation, which is the highest rating available under VA regulations for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, including gastro-soleus equinus syndrome and bilateral pes planus (plantar fasciitis), is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was caused by his service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The low back disability is also linked to the service-connected bilateral ankle disability and bilateral feet disabilities.,PTSD is found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, with a diagnosis of PTSD confirmed in private examination reports.,ED is determined to be secondary to PTSD, as diagnosed by a private examiner.,Obstructive sleep apnea is also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right knee strain, left knee strain, and residuals of a left ankle fracture are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left hip disabilities, back disability, and PTSD have been denied. The VA has granted a separate 10% rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability and left ankle disability.

The Board granted an effective date of September 12, 2008 for the award of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the 'L' rate based on loss of use of one hand and one foot. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering extra-schedular considerations. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the VA's Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disabilities are both denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a right ankle and/or foot disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain an opinion without requiring an in-person examination, if necessary.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disorder, including carpal tunnel syndrome; left thumb disorder; and left ankle disorder. The appeals are dismissed as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle impingement, right ankle impingement, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a causal relationship to active service.

The Veteran's cervicalgia is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. A 10 percent rating for GERD prior to December 16, 2019 is granted. An extraschedular rating for GERD from December 16, 2019 is denied. Ratings higher than 10 percent for both the right knee and right ankle disabilities are denied.