Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of left and right ankle conditions due to inadequate examination, which did not address whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of status post left inguinal hernia repair and right ankle condition.,However, the issues regarding a lumbar spine condition as secondary to the Veteran's claimed right ankle condition, and bladder voiding dysfunction as secondary to the lumbar spine condition are being remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent since December 28, 2020. The Board found that the current condition of moderate limitation of motion does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied a higher rating for peripheral vascular disease, left lower extremity and remanded the cases of arthritis, left hip, lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint disease, right knee, and right ankle strain.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's statements are credible and supported by a positive nexus opinion from a VA medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle condition is related to her service. The case will be reviewed again with a new VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle condition, headaches, and dizziness due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service records indicate he had injuries during his deployments in Iraq.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for myasthenia gravis and denied service connection for right ankle and foot disabilities. Service connection was granted for cervical spine stenosis, DDD, and DJD.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is granted as service-connected, with a grant of service connection for chronic right ankle pain and stiffness as an undiagnosed illness. The arthritis of the lumbar spine and right ankle are denied.,Service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted due to equipoise evidence. Service connection for right ankle arthritis is denied. Service connection for right ankle pain and stiffness (undiagnosed) is granted.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for migraines, effective from August 27, 2018. The Veteran's left ankle sprain and migraines were already service-connected as of that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle conditions due to potential errors in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain. The Veteran's symptoms were present during service and continue to this day.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee conditions, finding that there is at least as likely as not a causal relationship between these conditions and his in-service injuries.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle conditions as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the Veteran's reported pain does not constitute a disability.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error for the claims of service connection for various lower extremity disorders. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, and he has reported in-service injuries. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any current diagnoses exist and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for respiratory condition, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder have been denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or functional impairment affecting earning capacity.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and right index finger PIP joint conditions are both denied increased ratings, but the left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy claim for an increased rating and TDIU claim are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for muscle spasms and pain in upper back, muscle spasms and pain in neck, right knee strain with popping and pain (also claimed with right knee scar tissue), left knee strain with popping and pain, left ankle strain with popping and pain, and right ankle strain with popping and pain due to insufficient evidence to resolve the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition and left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ankle condition. The appeal seeking service connection for this condition is now pending.