Ankle Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to new evidence received after the October 2018 SOC. The VA will review this additional evidence and arrange for any necessary examinations.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and a temporary total disability rating for convalescence from right ankle surgery are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the left and right ankles, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, acid reflux, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and hypertension as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, acute pancreatitis, heart disability, and colonic polyps, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not have chronic or recurrent conditions during service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new and material evidence, but the appeals are still pending as some issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral eye disorder secondary to service-connected chronic sinusitis is denied.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD prior to July 7, 2022 is denied.,An evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD beginning July 7, 2022 is denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and low back disorder. The Board found that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, joint aches, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, bilateral foot, psychiatric disorder, mitral valve insufficiency and coronary artery disease, hernia disorder, and dental disorders due to the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The issues of cervical spine, right hand, left hand, sciatica (right and left lower extremities), and talofibular ligament strain of the right ankle will be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of his left foot, finding that there is no effective function remaining other than what would be equally well served by an amputation with a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral ankles and prostate cancer, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's GERD, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability have been granted service connection. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, insomnia disorder, right ankle and knee disorders, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 11, 2021. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine his unemployability prior to that date.

The Veteran's right hip disabilities, including limitation of flexion and extension, are not rated higher than the current 10% disability ratings.,For his right ankle sprain prior to May 4, 2018, a 20% rating is granted. However, from that date onward, no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his disabilities and determine if they warrant higher ratings.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including updated treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the original decision.

The Veteran's service-connected gout, lower extremities (including right ankle and left big toe), is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of his left ankle condition and remanded the back condition claim. The Court ordered a remand due to VA not obtaining SSA records and not properly addressing new evidence in the claims.