Ankle Board decisions

The appeal for service connection for a right shoulder strain was denied, while the appeals for service connection for left ankle strain, right ankle strain, lumbar strain, cervical strain, and bilateral pes planus were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability or that any of the claimed disabilities were related to active duty.

The Board denied an effective date prior to September 5, 2023, for a 100 percent rating for MDD and SMC based on housebound criteria. However, it granted service connection for right ear painful scar, right ear surgical scar, and sleep apnea with an effective date of November 30, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, but remanded claims for service connection for ankle disorders, lower extremity radiculopathy, and knee pain.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding no evidence linking the current condition to any injury or incident during active military service.

The Board remands all claims for service connection and a compensable disability rating due to the failure of the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) to properly obtain relevant private medical records prior to making a decision on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss, left ankle condition, and right knee strain. The claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist injury, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a left knee condition were remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings and service connection based on an intent to file a claim submitted by the Veteran prior to his formal claim.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, but remanded claims for a neck disability, lower back disability, right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the entire appeal period for service-connected residuals of right ankle sprains, as the Veteran's disability manifested as painful motion which most nearly approximated no more than moderate limited motion.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a left hip disorder.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and left lower extremity peroneal neuropathy to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right ankle tendinosis prior to January 6, 2022, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent as of that date. A separate 30 percent rating was also granted for dizziness and imbalance associated with TBI.

The Board granted a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for the service-connected left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent) and granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, both secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The Board granted service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and remanded the claims for chronic bronchitis, respiratory problems, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and narcolepsy due to insufficient evidence regarding toxic exposures and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation due to not meeting the legal criteria.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining private medical records and updated TERA opinions.

The appeals for earlier effective dates were dismissed due to a violation of claims-processing rules.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left ankle condition, a lower back condition, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as they require further development.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these issues.