Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right foot disability and service connection for left foot disability has been dismissed due to the Board lacking jurisdiction over these issues.,The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for PTSD and TBI, as well as migraine headaches and right ankle disability, is also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for his right ankle disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that an examination is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, which may be related to his service-connected right ankle DJD. The decision is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service aggravation of his right tibia bone cyst contributed to his current right ankle disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities, particularly chronic sinusitis and orthopedic conditions.

The Board has remanded both issues of increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability due to inadequate examination and reasonable possibility of aiding in substantiating his claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disorder, right foot disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for ratings greater than 20 percent for right ankle degenerative joint disease, and granted initial 20 percent and 40 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in December 2018, and the effective date of his subsequent successful claims was set at April 3, 2020. The Board found that the claim to reopen was not timely filed within one year of the denial.

The Veteran's effective date for adding her child, M.J., to her VA disability compensation award is granted as April [REDACTED], 2020. This decision is based on the birth of her daughter within one year and the continuation of her existing disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for a back brace, left ankle brace, and left knee brace in 2021 due to insufficient evidence of damage to clothing. The claim for menthol camphor gel topical medication was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and associated right leg length discrepancy due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the right ankle was denied.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lower lip numbness, left cranial nerve V (previously claimed as lower lip numbness (nerve damage)) is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain (claimed as a back strain) was granted. The claims for service connection of the left knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and cardiovascular conditions are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and PTSD have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional errors in the decision and requires additional evidence and examinations to determine if service connection is warranted for PTSD, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and DVT.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating, while the left ankle disability remains at a 10% rating.