Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current functional limitations. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for all eight claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for injury of unspecified nerve at ankle and foot level, left leg, subsequent encounter and left ankle impingement with left ankle mass have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current assigned evaluations.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the scar of the left knee and remanded the claims for increased ratings for the left ankle disability and TDIU. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions including hypoglycemia, sinusitis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle pain, left hip osteoarthritis, left knee sprain, bradycardia, dry eye, hernia, hypercholesterolemia, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for treatment purposes only under Chapter 17 for various conditions, including cervical spine condition, right upper extremity nerve condition, left upper extremity nerve condition, headache condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right elbow condition, left elbow condition, right shoulder condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral pes planus, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and low back disabilities.

New and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disorders. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated in order to address the new evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected ankles, knees, and back have been granted initial 20 percent disability ratings.,Service connection has also been established for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and a need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's military occupation as a water safety survival instructor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle was granted with an initial evaluation of 10 percent effective September 17, 2018. The Board has now granted a higher rating but is remanding to determine if an even higher rating is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for new VA examinations due to inadequate opinions in the July 2020 VA examination reports. The Veteran's right shoulder disorder, left ankle disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are being reviewed again to determine if they are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new examination to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding her symptoms during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA-scheduled aid and attendance/housebound examination to determine eligibility for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner must address specific questions regarding the Veteran's ability to perform daily activities, including dressing, feeding, attending to personal hygiene, protection from environmental hazards, and confinement.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 10, 1997, for a 10% disability rating for his right ankle disability is denied as there was no CUE in the previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for left ankle disability residuals, finding that his current condition is due to an in-service injury and granting the benefit of the doubt.

The Veteran's mumps residuals claim is denied as there is no probative evidence of an in-service infection or related skin issues.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left leg injury claims are denied due to lack of service connection. The COPD claim is granted based on presumptive exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent for service-connected Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood is granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.