Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed due to the lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service or aggravated by his existing service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraines are granted with a 30 percent evaluation from May 8, 2021. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle strain, right knee pain, and thoracolumbar strain (low back pain).

The Board has restored the disability ratings for migraine headaches, TBI and major depressive disorder, and left ankle sprain to their previous levels due to improper reduction.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of his right foot fifth toe fracture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle and hip disabilities due to a lack of consideration of direct service connection.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including unspecified anxiety disorder (also claimed as PTSD), tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and ankle/sleeve strains. The Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to March 16, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and right ankle conditions as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral foot disorders including fallen arches, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and high blood pressure are all dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The left ankle disability, to include degenerative changes, is denied as not being secondary to his service-connected right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain. Other claims are either denied or granted.

The Board has denied the petitions to readjudicate claims for service connection for a neck disability, right ankle disability, and right foot disability due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities due to conflicting examination results and the need for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and bilateral foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disability.,There is no medical evidence showing any current right ankle or bilateral foot disability, and the Veteran's self-reported symptoms have not been supported by objective findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee, right knee, and right ankle conditions due to a lack of medical nexus opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records are also requested as part of the remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that no new and relevant evidence had been received to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability. The rating for hematuria remains unresolved.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating from June 30, 2021. The left ankle disability and tinea versicolor are denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent. Bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's cholesterol, right wrist arthritis, left ankle disability, and blood condition were not incurred during active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right ankle disability, and left arm scar pain do not have a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities have been denied as there was no claim filed prior to April 26, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II was dismissed. The appeals for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The appeal for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis was also denied.