Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another, as well as initial disability ratings for his left ankle osteoarthritis and right lower extremity radiculitis, are being remanded due to deficiencies in VA examinations and duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the severity and functional impact of his knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle sprain and an initial compensable rating for chronic allergic rhinitis, finding that there was no current disability or evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition and that the current diagnosis is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The left ankle sprain with peroneal tendonitis and right ankle sprain with peroneal tendonitis have both been granted initial ratings of 20 percent.,For COPD/emphysema and stage 3 lung cancer, the Veteran's claims are being remanded due to new evidence or further clarification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle or right wrist disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a right foot disability. However, these issues are being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the November 2022 rating decision.

The appeal for service connection for left foot strain is dismissed.,Service connection for right elbow strain and tinnitus are denied.,Left ankle strain and right ankle strain are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, right ankle tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent lay statements, his service treatment records showing bilateral ankle complaints during service in March and April 1997, and a September 2023 private opinion linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the failure to obtain private treatment records and employment information from his employer. The issue of mootness regarding the combined 100 percent rating for service-connected disabilities was not addressed.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability is dismissed.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder based on a June 2020 claim is denied.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, but remanded the issues of secondary service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities as well as back disability due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection in all cases.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations. The character of discharge issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left ankle condition, right ankle disability, and right ankle scars.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, erectile dysfunction (ED), right hip disability, left hip disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of credible evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, right ankle sprain, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each effective August 25, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple hip, knee, and ankle conditions was dismissed because the AOJ was already processing a Supplemental Claim regarding these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that his current symptoms started in service and have not resolved.