Ankle Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle strain. Service connection was granted for hemorrhoids as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ankle, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, right ankle, sleep apnea, bilateral knee disabilities, sinusitis, and PTSD. The issues have been remanded for further development in several cases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and back disability, as well as increased ratings for PTSD and tendonitis of the left ankle, are denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is abandoned due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle condition, including osteoarthritis and instability, has been granted a 20 percent evaluation.,PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral pes planus, gout, ankle/foot disability manifested by instep and heel pain, other than pes planus, and a knee disability due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for soft tissue calcification beneath the lateral malleolus, left ankle is denied as there is no evidence of marked limited motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from March 14, 2023, is dismissed because his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection need further development due to missing VA treatment records. The case is being sent back to obtain these records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and associated instability have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective as of the date of the decision.

The appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, and left ankle sprain residuals are dismissed. The appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, TBI with associated headaches and sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis (limitation of extension), and right knee tendonitis (limitation of flexion) are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of right ankle condition and bilateral knee arthritis. The Board found that new evidence supports reopening the left foot condition claim and established a link between current disability and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, tendonitis of the right ankle, hammer toes, and osteoarthritis of the MTP joint disabilities as they are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and referring the claim of entitlement to TDIU to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for consideration of assignment of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to November 17, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral pes planus, right ankle degenerative joint disease, cervical paraspinal tendonitis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and painful scars) have worsened to the point where he requires aid and attendance. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine his need for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder has been granted.,Service connection was also established for tinnitus with an effective date of June 20, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI, bilateral knees, left metatarsal avulsion residuals, left wrist condition, and migraines are being remanded for further evaluation due to the potential worsening of these conditions.,The Veteran's rib/sternum condition, left ankle condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, insomnia, and kidney condition (claimed as rhabdomyolysis) are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for new VA examinations and medical opinions regarding her right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for basal cell carcinoma, bilateral hearing loss, scar associated with right Achilles tendon rupture, and right Achilles tendon rupture (right ankle) as well as his claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's claims. Additionally, a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability and diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and a right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examinations regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right ankle condition caused or aggravated his left foot disability.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for snoring and acid reflux have been reopened due to new evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for equilibrium problems, bilateral hearing loss, upper and lower teeth condition including TMJ disorder, arthritis of the entire joint system, bilateral ankle condition, bilateral hip condition, sleep apnea, bilateral eye condition (periorbital eye pain, NVS cataracts, glaucoma suspect), acid reflux, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for snoring and acid reflux have been reopened due to new evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for equilibrium problems, bilateral hearing loss, upper and lower teeth condition including TMJ disorder, arthritis of the entire joint system, bilateral ankle condition, bilateral hip condition, sleep apnea, bilateral eye condition (periorbital eye pain, NVS cataracts, glaucoma suspect), acid reflux, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further development.