Ankle Board decisions

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 30, 2013 for the grant of service connection for a left ankle disability and left ankle scar.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a 100% disability rating assigned for the left ankle disability. The attorney is eligible to receive fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the August 2020 rating decision.

Service connection is granted for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left ankle deltoid ligament sprain, and right ankle deltoid ligament sprain.,Service connection is also granted for cervical strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis and right ankle disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy with ankle neuropathy and restless leg syndrome, sciatic nerve is granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy with ankle neuropathy and restless leg syndrome, internal saphenous nerve is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates were denied. The right ankle, lumbar spine, and left sciatic nerve impairment cases all had their effective dates fixed at the January 7, 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for heart palpitations, hypertension, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left shoulder condition, back condition, and neck condition have been denied as there is no current disability found by the VA examinations.,No service connection will be granted for these conditions due to a lack of evidence of a present disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including headaches, ankle, foot, hip, back, knee, shin, and neurological issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and further development of medical opinion evidence.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, OSA, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability claims are denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and a left hip condition.

The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right ankle strain and left ankle strain, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle disability, left ankle surgical scar, and bilateral eyes with dry eye syndrome were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or marked limitation of motion in the left ankle, which prevented a higher rating. For the left ankle scar, the medical evidence did not support a separate compensable rating under DC 7802. For the eyes, there was no incapacitating episodes and visual acuity and field were unaffected.

The Board has remanded the case to the VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 16, 2015.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right ankle instability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a VA examination and an adequate medical nexus opinion due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

Service connection is granted for rib disability (costochondritis), neck disability with pain and limitation of motion, cubital tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, bilateral elbow and wrist disabilities, left hip disability secondary to service-connected inguinal hernia, and bilateral ankle disabilities.,An initial 20 percent rating is granted for costochondritis, a separate 20 percent rating is granted for a left knee disability with recurrent swelling, and ratings in excess of 20 percent are denied for shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service connection for a broken nose (also claimed as deviated septum) is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.