Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle traumatic arthritis with partial ankylosis has been denied. The maximum schedular rating under the applicable criteria is already assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions, as well as a right ankle condition. The claims are being remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations and lack of adequate medical evidence.

The Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee and shin disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and peptic ulcers on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was also granted for left ankle strain with retained shrapnel, right hip strain, left hip strain, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a left ankle disability, and a right ankle disability. The decision finds that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, knee, wrist, and ankle conditions due to unclear dates of active duty.

The Veteran was previously granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the Board is now remanding the case to clarify whether he was enrolled in school full-time and obtain his complete VA vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and degenerative arthritis with enthesophyte, as well as left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, both found to be secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and his left ankle disability remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, including the claims for increased ratings for left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disability. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for right ankle scars and a TDIU are remanded due to inadequate VA examination.,The issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than June 20, 2018, for the grant of service connection for right ankle arthritis and right ankle scars is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left ankle disabilities, and other conditions, do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of February 19, 2020. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disability and diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim of service connection for hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure) is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience. The Board finds the totality of the evidence more probative than his lay statements in determining that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error prior to the August 2020 rating decision and remands the claims for further development.

Service connection for rhinitis is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.,An initial 30 percent rating is granted for left shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including private medical records and x-rays.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain, right knee chondromalacia, and tinnitus are all granted service connection as they are directly related to his military service.

The reduction of the rating for residuals, right ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease and chronic sprain from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper.,The reduction of the rating for left ankle mild arthritis (DJD) and chronic ankle strain with history of sprain from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle ankylosis with degenerative arthritis status post multiple reconstructive surgeries, finding that there is no persuasive medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.