Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for heart palpitations, hypertension, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left shoulder condition, back condition, and neck condition have been denied as there is no current disability found by the VA examinations.,No service connection will be granted for these conditions due to a lack of evidence of a present disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including headaches, ankle, foot, hip, back, knee, shin, and neurological issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and further development of medical opinion evidence.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, OSA, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability claims are denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and a left hip condition.

The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right ankle strain and left ankle strain, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle disability, left ankle surgical scar, and bilateral eyes with dry eye syndrome were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or marked limitation of motion in the left ankle, which prevented a higher rating. For the left ankle scar, the medical evidence did not support a separate compensable rating under DC 7802. For the eyes, there was no incapacitating episodes and visual acuity and field were unaffected.

The Board has remanded the case to the VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 16, 2015.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right ankle instability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a VA examination and an adequate medical nexus opinion due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

Service connection is granted for rib disability (costochondritis), neck disability with pain and limitation of motion, cubital tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, bilateral elbow and wrist disabilities, left hip disability secondary to service-connected inguinal hernia, and bilateral ankle disabilities.,An initial 20 percent rating is granted for costochondritis, a separate 20 percent rating is granted for a left knee disability with recurrent swelling, and ratings in excess of 20 percent are denied for shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service connection for a broken nose (also claimed as deviated septum) is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence collection.,Specifically, the VA needs to clarify whether the Veteran's back pain, ankle sprains, and hand injury are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for lower back disorder, including degenerative arthritis, status post-laminectomy, and right ankle peroneal tendonitis. The appeals are granted to those extents. Service connection is not established for either condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for her service-connected right ankle lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain, finding that there was no actual improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

Effective dates of December 31, 2019, are granted for service connection of left and right knee strains and left and right ankle collateral ligament sprains.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, and right ankle sprain to obtain new opinions. The claim for scar left eye/cheek is denied as no new relevant evidence was submitted.

The Board remands the case to consider additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability.