Ankle Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral hand disorder and right ankle disorder, both diagnosed as crystalline arthropathy. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, but granted a 30 percent rating for diabetic nephropathy. Other claims were either denied or granted ratings within the range requested.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a strain of the left 5th digit, left ankle strain, lumbosacral strain, headaches, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have prevented her from being able to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation, and she is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate.

The Board remands the claims for further development of evidence, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle condition, left ankle condition, bilateral foot condition, and allergic rhinitis. The claim for migraines was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the clinical onset of the condition occurred during a period of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board granted service connection for scars resulting from surgery for malignant melanoma incurred during active duty service and remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an initial compensable rating for various disabilities, as well as remanded a claim for service connection for a left foot disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions to correct duty-to-assist errors and obtain additional evidence.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain and denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The rating for the right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, a left foot disability, major depressive disorder, and secondary disabilities related to the left foot. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection and increased rating as there was no case or controversy, and the issues were already adjudicated on their merits.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or nexus to service.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, but denied higher ratings and increased initial ratings for other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left ankle degenerative joint disease, and erectile dysfunction to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TBI. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, right ankle scar associated with ganglion cyst in the soft tissue of the ankle with tenosynovitis, left upper extremity scars associated with post traumatic changes of the left thumb, and post traumatic changes of the left thumb were also denied. Some issues related to service connection have been remanded for further consideration.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for left and right ankle degenerative arthritis effective May 9, 2016.

The Board granted an effective date of March 1, 2021, for the award of service connection for right knee disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, psychiatric disability, and lumbosacral disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left ankle disability, and an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face. The claims for service connection for various other disabilities were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left ankle, left heel, left leg shin splints, lumbar spine, right elbow, right heel, and right leg shin splints, as further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.