Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is granted effective May 28, 2021. An earlier effective date prior to this date is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and back disabilities, finding that there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to procedural defects.,These issues include claims for various conditions such as arthritis, anxiety and depression, and tumors.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hemorrhoids, left inguinal hernia, painful residual left ankle scar, or tinea pedis with onychomycosis.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 31, 2014 for the service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, a left shoulder disability, and limitation of motion of the left ankle.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back and left ankle disabilities, both secondary to service-connected right knee arthritis. The decision is due to a predecisional error in the duty to assist.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated at a maximum of 20 percent, effective February 7, 2021. The rating was granted as the symptoms more nearly approximated marked limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, left and right ankle tendonitis, and lumbar degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right ankle disability is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a new examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including ankle, hand, foot, and shoulder disorders as well as insomnia and headaches. The claims of type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, GERD, hypertension, and heart disorder are remanded due to potential toxic exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's heart disability, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and various peripheral neuropathies and radiculopathies are not service-connected. The cervical spine disability is also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several ankle sprains, shin splints, and nerve conditions have been dismissed.,Service connection for TBI has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of April 23, 2015, based on his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left ankle fracture residuals, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 2005. The effective date for the TDIU is set at June 29, 2006.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a back disability, a bilateral feet disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to incomplete records from his active duty in the United States Army.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and instructions not being followed. The issues of service connection for various conditions are now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle degenerative joint disease and depression do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their combined effect, as they do not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential exposure verification issues.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are granted as service connected. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for further review.