Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis is granted, while the claims for sinusitis, myopia, cervical spine disability with arthritis, erectile dysfunction, left ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left shoulder sprain, right shoulder sprain, pulled groin, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left carpal tunnel disability, right carpal tunnel disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle pain, diabetes mellitus, dyspepsia, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim for a compensable disability rating for hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's previous denial of service connection for a left ankle condition is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A new VA examination and medical opinion are required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle condition, including consideration of toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's left ankle disorders, including skin discoloration and venous insufficiency. The issues include determining if a rating in excess of 20 percent is warranted for the left ankle disorder and whether there should be separate ratings for the skin condition.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271.,The Veteran's left foot degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5284. The Veteran's post-surgical scar on his left foot does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disability is dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, dry skin, hypertension, neck disability, right and left upper extremity nerve damage, right long finger disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or treatment for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including left ankle, right and left wrist, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's right ankle condition, left ankle condition, bilateral pes planus, and right knee condition are all granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's left lower extremity shin splints and right lower extremity shin splints.,However, service connection for a bilateral claw foot disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for additional months of service-connected compensation for various conditions have been denied. The effective dates and payment start dates are legally correct.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back pain, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during active service and is not due to natural progression.,Service connection was also granted for limitation of range of motion of left ankle. The Board found that the preexisting condition worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination for skeletal arthritis of the right ankle, and the need to clarify the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding her claimed conditions, as well as a review of the evidence related to toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of June 25, 2021 for the awards of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits based on permanent and total disability status.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and now requires an additional VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to her service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea versicolor. The remaining claims of service connection for a back disorder, left-sided radial nerve disorder, and right ankle disorder are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has denied service connection for external hemorrhoids, left ankle condition, limb pain left lower leg, limb pain right lower leg, right knee pain, and testicular hypofunction as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the disability ratings for left shoulder strain and left ankle strain with instability.

The Veteran's ankle disability is rated at 30 percent effective May 10, 2012. The evidence shows a marked loss of dorsiflexion with only 0 to 10 degrees of motion.