Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's current 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected right ankle sprain is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's residuals of right wrist ganglion cyst were granted service connection as it was caused by an in-service right wrist ganglion cyst.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied due to the periodic flare ups not being causally related to active duty service.,Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or impairment associated with them.,The left elbow condition was denied as it did not onset during his active duty service and there were no symptoms reported after separation.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for a disability.,Service connection for a scar from left inguinal hernia repair was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.,Right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, was remanded as further examination and opinion are needed.,Cervical spine condition and high blood pressure were also remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The evidence does not show limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level or with flexion and/or abduction limited to 45 degrees.,The Veteran's left ankle fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting moderate limitation of motion. The evidence does not show marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional verification of his identity and periods of active service is needed before the issues can be addressed on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back disorder, depression, knee disorders, foot disorders, and ankle disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) by submitting a VA Form 10182 within 60 days of receiving a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot disability, left ankle disability, left hand disability, and hypertension. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as a bilateral rib disorder. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 30, 2018 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 30, 2018 for a higher rating for back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 30, 2018 for bilateral hip limitation of flexion and right ankle disability are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 30, 2018 for a higher rating for left hip limitation of flexion is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 12, 2015 for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act presumption of service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand condition, right ankle condition, and bilateral eye condition. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the etiology of the Veteran's generalized arthritis disorder, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities and obesity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left wrist disability, right foot/ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, an increased rating for left ankle sprain, and an increased rating for right thumb disability.,There is no current diagnosis of a right ankle condition. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's left ankle sprain or right thumb disability are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and a TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence being added to the file since the April 2020 SOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle disabilities due to inadequate reasoning in previous decisions.

The Veteran's bilateral arm disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities. The remaining claims for joint pain, knee, ankle, and wrist disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claim for sleep apnea remains remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's willingness to attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiner who conducted the recent examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, neuropathy, and ankle conditions due to inadequate medical opinions.