Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 USC § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left ankle tendonitis as further development is needed.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent since June 30, 2021. The claim for increased rating is denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, right hip, and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence at the time of the initial decision. New VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to a lack of current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his mental state at the time of misconduct, as well as obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has found errors in the duty to assist and remands both claims for further development. The Veteran's left ankle disability is claimed as multiple ankle injuries and gout, while his lumbar spine disability is claimed as strain or injury.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral glaucoma and service connection for other conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board granted an effective date of June 4, 2009, for a 20 percent rating for left rotator cuff strain and impingement when not temporarily totally disabled, a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress and major depressive disorder, and a 20 percent rating for right ankle lateral instability. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim due to a pre-decisional error in the previous VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma with sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, and various musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to perform daily activities without regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left leg neuropathy, numbness, and nerve damage did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied. The Board also found no evidence of a current right ankle disability and thus remanded the issue for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim. His adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression has been granted a 70% rating since October 15, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service. The issues of increased rating for left ankle disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of October 9, 2020 for the service connection of left shoulder strain, glenohumeral joint dislocation, status-post Bankart procedure; right shoulder strain; left shoulder residual scar; right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis; and right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety prior to the promulgation of a decision.