Ankle Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle, left knee, and right knee disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected HNP at L5-S1 with degenerative changes and right ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle disabilities and TDIU on an extra-schedular basis due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted with a 20% rating from October 3, 2017. The left wrist disability remains in dispute and requires further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his appeal. The matter is now pending again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 27, 2021. From that date, his combined disability rating was 100 percent due to the combination of all his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was caused by stressors during active-duty service and the claim for this condition is granted. The right ankle condition and respiratory condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current nature and etiology of his service-connected condition, including instability issues.,Bilateral knee conditions are also being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if they are related to the service-connected right ankle disability or if they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his right ankle sprain was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left hand disorder, as secondary to his right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 16, 2009, for the assignment of a 10 percent initial evaluation for service-connected posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle is denied. The claim for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of October 15, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart condition), diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disability, cervical spine disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and right knee disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service for these conditions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance (A&A), beginning March 9, 2015. The Veteran's need for A&A began on that date due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left ankle sprain-remote due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate VA examinations prior to the June 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are remanded due to his allegation of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a January 1969 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints due to conflicting medical opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for tinnitus, migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (both legs), right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and chronic left ankle pain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is also service connected.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral rib disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims as her conditions were not related to active service.