Ankle Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and associated right leg length discrepancy due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the right ankle was denied.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lower lip numbness, left cranial nerve V (previously claimed as lower lip numbness (nerve damage)) is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain (claimed as a back strain) was granted. The claims for service connection of the left knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and cardiovascular conditions are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and PTSD have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional errors in the decision and requires additional evidence and examinations to determine if service connection is warranted for PTSD, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and DVT.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating, while the left ankle disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating, while the left ankle disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle condition should be remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied.,No effective dates earlier than the specified dates were granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since September 3, 2020. An effective date of September 3, 2020, for the grant of service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's right ankle and right wrist disabilities have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sphincter impairment, a skin rash, left shoulder degenerative arthritis with tendinitis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis have all been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and sinusitis/rhinitis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 2016 rating decision denying IBS, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis at that time. For bilateral plantar fasciitis and ankle ligament instability, the claim was denied based on finality of the January 2001 rating decisions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.,Service connection for a right ankle condition has been granted. Service connection for left ankle condition remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically left ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities are remanded due to inadequate nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need to adjudicate secondary service connection for ankle disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to ensure all VA treatment records have been associated with the claims file, and then to adjudicate the secondary service connection claim.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the decision-making process and requires additional examinations to determine if service connection can be granted for various conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right foot conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between her current diagnoses and her active-duty service.