Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right ankle pain, chronic left ankle pain, right elbow strain (dominant), left elbow strain (non-dominant), chronic right wrist pain (dominant), chronic left wrist pain (non-dominant), and chronic left knee pain were denied in the November 2019 rating decision. The Veteran did not file a Notice of Disagreement within one year, so the decision became final.,The Veteran filed a Supplemental Claim on September 26, 2019, which was received by VA and granted service connection for these conditions effective from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle strain, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. These conditions are related to in-service injuries sustained during active duty.,All four bilateral ankle and lower extremity conditions were diagnosed during or shortly after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to unclear employment status and need for additional medical opinions regarding functional impairment without considering medication effects.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the prior rating decision and has ordered additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood or obesity aggravated his OSA.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, back, right ankle sprain, right hip, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are granted as service-connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left ankle, sinus, and sleep apnea conditions. However, as these claims are remanded to the RO, they will be readjudicated in the first instance based on all evidence of record, including new and relevant information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and right ankle condition due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU beginning October 4, 2011. The claim for a TDIU prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing (SAH) or special home adaptation (SHA), as he does not have a permanent and total disability that is due to loss of use of one or more extremities, blindness in both eyes with limited visual acuity, or full thickness burns resulting in contractures. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle strain with gastrocnemius equinus due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, and if so, whether obesity was a substantial factor in causing OSA.

The Veteran's right ankle, right knee, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are all found to be related to his military service.,His acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and left knee condition due to a lack of current diagnoses. The claims for musculoskeletal-neck/upper back (cervical spine), nerve paralysis, and degenerative arthritis of the back are remanded as there were no medical opinions provided regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in the May 2024 rating decision. The Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis is being remanded for an examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle peripheral edema and bilateral knee scars due to a lack of a VA examination, which is necessary to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot condition, including hallux rigidus with joint pain of the big toe, and a left ankle condition are being remanded due to incomplete STRs and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran was not provided adequate time to reschedule VA examinations prior to the issuance of the October 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left ankle disability was dismissed as the claim had already been fully granted in an earlier rating decision.

The appeals for service connection for coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, and left ankle disabilities are denied. The appeal for right ankle disability is remanded due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, ankle, and knee pain conditions as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is related to service and granted service connection. However, due to errors in the AOJ decisions, the left shoulder disorder issue must be remanded for further examination and opinion.