Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the claims of service connection for several conditions, including BHL, allergies to sulfur drugs and insect bites, ear infection, dacrycystitis, fracture of nasal bone, endometriosis, gastroenteritis, a dental disability, residuals of cysts removal, left foot and toes injury, bilateral hip condition, right arm pain, right elbow condition, cervical spine disability, chest pain, inflammation of the lungs, BLE numbness (numbness of legs, right side pain and numbness), and service connection for left knee. The Board has also reopened claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, chest pain, inflammation of the lungs, BLE numbness and right-sided pain, a cervical spine disability, right arm pain, right elbow pain, and a left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, ankle, and foot disorders due to insufficient information and need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied the remaining issues. The appellant's tinnitus is rated at its maximum schedular rating, and his hypertension is considered presumptively related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine traumatic paravertebral myositis, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right and left ankle strain, and chronic tonsillitis, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's periods of active duty with the Michigan Army National Guard need to be verified.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and left ankle disability, and has awarded a 60% rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of performing the activities of daily living and require regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10% prior to December 10, 2007 and increased to 20% thereafter. The tinea versicolor rating remained at 30% prior to May 20, 2004 and decreased to a higher percentage after that date.,The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20%, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion. The tinea versicolor rating remained at 30%.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claims are still denied as there is no current disability found for these conditions.

The Veteran's partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, right knee, post-operative, with scars and instability, rated as 20 percent disabling for the rating period prior to April 20, 2022, was denied.,The Veteran's right knee, status-post surgery, partial tear, anterior cruciate ligament, with limitation of motion, rated as 10 percent disabling for the rating period prior to April 20, 2022, was denied.,The Veteran's right total knee replacement is now rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2022.,The Veteran's right total ankle replacement remains rated at 40 percent since September 26, 2017.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot tarsitis and right ankle tendonitis was granted with an effective date of August 11, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to his service, specifically an in-service sprain in May 1989.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, OSA, headache disability (including as secondary to PTSD), left ankle disability, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. Claims for acid reflux, COPD, bilateral tinea pedis, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, diverticulitis, migraines, back condition, and neck condition were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete development and lack of consideration of lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded both the character of discharge issue and the right ankle disability service connection claim due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental state at the time of his misconduct.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's left ankle disability during service and its relationship to service.