Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma and denied increased ratings for several disabilities, while granting a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis was granted, while the claims for bilateral ankle tendinitis with symptomatic laxity and bilateral foot degenerative arthritis were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to correct duty to assist errors, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and adequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection claims, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Board granted service connection for GERD and hearing loss, right ear, but denied service connection for lumbar spine pain, radicular pain and paresthesia of the lower extremities, allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, functional abdominal pain syndrome, restless leg syndrome, tremors of the hands, respiratory insufficiency, chronic headaches, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain.

The Board denied service connection for cold weather injury, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), and conditions of the ankles, shoulders, and left hand due to a lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or current diagnosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, remanding some issues for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for right foot metatarsalgia, while remanding the other claims for further development.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome left knee limitation of flexion and right knee painful motion with limitation of extension, granted a 10 percent evaluation for patellofemoral pain syndrome left knee with limitation of extension, and denied evaluations in excess of 10 percent for the right knee (instability) and right ankle sprain.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and remanded the claims for increased ratings for left ankle sprain, left shoulder strain, left knee strain, and right knee sprain due to the need to discount the effects of medication.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow, right hip, right ankle, and right knee disabilities as the weight of evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran had current chronic diagnoses or functional limitations during the appeal period.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right and left ankle strain and tendonitis, effective from the date of the August 2023 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) as she did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no greater, for the period prior to March 4, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 7, 2021, as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment during that period.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right tarsal tunnel syndrome prior to May 8, 2025, and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The other claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right foot arthritis and an earlier effective date of January 3, 2017, for a psychiatric disability rating, but denied service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle arthritis (secondary to PTSD), increased rating for psychiatric disability, TDIU, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for right ankle laxity due to sprain and service connection for a right knee strain/sprain as secondary to the right ankle disability, but granted service connection for right gluteus medius tendinopathy as secondary to the right ankle disability.

The claims for service connection and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded due to the failure of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) to ensure delivery of the November 2022 supplemental statement of the case to the Appellant.

The Board denied service connection for chronic rhinitis, allergic or non-allergic and urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) as there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's military service. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.