Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to a 20 percent rating for his left ankle degenerative arthritis.,Both conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The claims for service connection of a right knee disability, left ankle disability, and residuals of a head injury have been granted.,The claim for service connection of PTSD has been denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability may have caused or aggravated his claimed left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right wrist disabilities. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to September 1, 2010. The Board has remanded the claims of a higher rating and TDIU due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board has found that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and thus the claims for service connection of right and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and incomplete evidence.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation due to the need for higher level aid and attendance related to his traumatic brain injury.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's claims were continuously pursued from July 9, 2019, and the effective dates are based on these pursuit dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his case file and because of the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle condition. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU from September 1, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a groin pain, increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities, and service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities due to new evidence and further development being required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision, specifically regarding the Veteran's argument about the adequacy of the November 2019 VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran will have an opportunity to submit additional evidence and arguments.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral ankle strain condition due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is considered a direct result of his military service, with no presumption or secondary link established. The denial of service connection for the ankle strain condition is based on insufficient medical evidence showing continuity of symptoms from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, left ankle, right ankle, left hip, and right hip osteoarthritis due to a lack of adequate examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 30 percent disabling, but no higher, for service-connected chronic left ankle instability with degenerative arthritis is granted. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for duodenal ulcer are remanded due to outstanding private medical records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding whether new and relevant evidence has been submitted for entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, back, neck, obstructive sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury (TBI)/concussion. The decision does not affect the Veteran's HLR.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hypertensive retinopathy has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left ankle conditions, finding that they are related to his active military service.