Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his in-service treatment. The Board concluded that the weight of the evidence was against a finding of a relationship between the Veteran's current right ankle strain and any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted the readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal issues. The cases are now remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain with degenerative joint disease, right knee instability, left ankle disability (avulsion fracture with degenerative joint disease), and right ankle disability (avulsion fracture with degenerative joint disease) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding functional limitations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology, including whether it is related to his service-connected left ankle impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of worsening symptoms or a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disorder and bilateral wrist disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to the absence of a VA examination addressing these conditions.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss, recurrent traumatic brain injury residuals, left ear hearing loss, recurrent cervical spine disability, recurrent lumbar spine disability, recurrent right knee disability, recurrent right ankle disability, recurrent left ankle disability, recurrent nasal disability, and recurrent gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis prior to March 24, 2021 has not shown marked limited motion of the ankle (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion), thus a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral feet pain and remanded the left ankle disability claim due to insufficient evidence in the July 2022 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the AOJ failed to obtain all relevant medical records and conducted inadequate examinations for the Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities. The claims are being remanded to correct these procedural errors.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis are found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis prior to the filing of the claim. Other conditions such as painful scars, hand disorders, elbow disorders, knee disorders, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, cervical spine disorder, wrist disorders, arm disorders, hip disorders, shin disorders, ankle disorders, and foot disorders are also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle conditions, as secondary to his service-connected knee conditions. The VA will need to provide addendum opinions addressing whether the Veteran's current ankle conditions would be less severe or result in less functional impairment but for his service-connected knee conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, ankle, and shoulder disorders as the evidence does not show current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis is granted, while the claims for sinusitis, myopia, cervical spine disability with arthritis, erectile dysfunction, left ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left shoulder sprain, right shoulder sprain, pulled groin, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left carpal tunnel disability, right carpal tunnel disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle pain, diabetes mellitus, dyspepsia, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim for a compensable disability rating for hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's previous denial of service connection for a left ankle condition is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A new VA examination and medical opinion are required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle condition, including consideration of toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's left ankle disorders, including skin discoloration and venous insufficiency. The issues include determining if a rating in excess of 20 percent is warranted for the left ankle disorder and whether there should be separate ratings for the skin condition.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271.,The Veteran's left foot degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5284. The Veteran's post-surgical scar on his left foot does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disability is dismissed due to procedural issues.