Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 27, 2020, for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.,New and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of lower back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis C, left ankle disability, left hip disability, left thumb disability, liver cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle sprains as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot fracture. The claims of service connection for a left shoulder, cervical spine, and lower lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to potential pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the claims for service connection due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine strain, lumbosacral strain with associated sciatica, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, chronic ankle disabilities, foot problems, hypertension, migraine headaches, MDD, and PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain examinations or opinions where the low threshold of McLendon was met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The current ratings for knee strains, ankle sprains, and shoulder conditions remain unchanged.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, stomach condition (claimed as stomach issues), right ankle pain, lumbosacral strain, and left knee strain due to lack of current disability evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for effective dates prior to June 10, 2022, for service connection of various conditions. The appeal is also remanded for further action on some issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle injury and sleep apnea, which were previously denied in initial decisions. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide good cause for failing to attend a VA examination, which was necessary to determine the severity of his cervical spine, allergic rhinitis, left and right lateral epicondylitis, and right ankle sprain conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on PTSD, migraine headaches, GERD, ED, and right ankle condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims will be dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available. Service connection has been granted for left ankle strain, right ankle strain, back disability, neck strain, and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's ankle and knee conditions are granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence approximately balanced as to whether these disabilities began in service.,Service connection for right shoulder DJD and impingement syndrome is also granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 28, 2019 for the establishment of entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of tonsillectomy with dysphagia is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and denied service connection for neck, left ankle, right ankle, left trochanteric pain syndrome, OSA, esophageal disability, left wrist, and right knee disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible statements regarding symptom onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will now consider whether GERD, wrist carpal tunnel syndromes, diabetes mellitus, ankle disabilities, hip strain, and knee disability are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle condition is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are not related to his active service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability were not related to his active service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions and ratings. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn all pending appeals, including those related to service connection for various conditions and a rating for migraines and erectile dysfunction.