Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Board found that a higher rating is warranted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and BHL.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for hernia surgery scars, left ankle surgery scar, right lower extremity restless leg syndrome, and left lower extremity restless leg syndrome were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's scars do not meet criteria for a compensable rating and his restless leg syndrome does not meet criteria for a greater than 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, right ankle strain, and lumbosacral strain on a direct basis. The decision is based on credible lay evidence rather than complete medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and left knee degenerative arthritis need further development due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral acquired pes cavus, right ankle tendonitis, and left ankle tendonitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible history of parachute jumping in service which led to foot and ankle issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and remanded the issue of service connection for foot numbness (neuropathy). The Veteran's current disabilities are not established, and further examination is needed to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, right hip, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, right hip strain, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The low back lumbosacral strain was also granted service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because a spurious rating decision was issued in March 2021, which is prohibited by law.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, insomnia, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, migraine disability, and right finger disability were denied. The claim for loss of balance was remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed above.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of October 1, 2007 for the Veteran's service connection claims for left knee meniscal tear residuals, left Achilles' tendon rupture, and left ankle scar.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right ankle disability, finding that his symptoms have worsened and he now experiences notable reduction in range of motion.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for arthritis, degenerative right ankle and initial compensable rating for scars, right ankle surgery were both denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, right knee, acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and sleep apnea disabilities due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.,VA is required to provide a VA examination and obtain medical opinions regarding the possible nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 30 percent rating, and no higher. The Veteran's left ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis is denied any increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The denial of service connection for left ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, right ankle disability, left hand disability, and neck disability remains unchanged. The Board has remanded the issues regarding bilateral foot disability and right ankle disability due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to injuries sustained during service.,The left ankle sprain is secondary to the right ankle condition.,Radiculopathy in both lower extremities (sciatica) is also secondary to the lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disability is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability.