Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a right ankle disorder, have been denied by the Board. The current assigned ratings are under Diagnostic Codes (DCs) that address limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, left ankle condition, low back condition, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a condition of the bilateral feet other than pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There was no medical opinion linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for his right hip degenerative joint disease and bursitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and OSA. The appeals for asthma, rhinitis, right knee disorder, sinusitis, and right ankle disorder are dismissed as the benefits sought have already been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure or secondary service connection, and that there was no persuasive evidence showing that the Veteran's disabilities were related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, but only beginning December 16, 2020. TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of multiple conditions, including back disability, neck disability, shoulder disabilities, knee disabilities, calf disabilities, and ankle disabilities. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any right ankle, right leg, and right foot disorders (other than pes planus) and sinusitis/allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's service treatment records show relevant medical history and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied, and his request for an increased evaluation of the left ankle disability from March 5, 2014, was granted with a rating of 20 percent.

Service connection is granted for left ankle arthritis, right elbow condition, and left elbow condition.,Service connection is granted for left ulnar neuritis. Service connection is denied for left rib condition.,Service connection is granted for lumbar spine condition.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including neck/cervical spine disability, back/thoracolumbar spine disability, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, right hand numbness, scars, recurrent right ankle sprain, right foot disability, left foot disability, right kidney disorder, and left kidney disorder. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his right and left upper extremity disorders, were granted. The TDIU claim was dismissed due to the 100% disability rating for TBI residuals.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ankle disability, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is remanded as an inadequate VA examination was conducted in 1989.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for many daily personal needs and protect himself from the hazards of his daily environment without the assistance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities, as well as her acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU issue is also being referred for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased initial rating for his left ankle disability and service connection for a bilateral knee condition are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right hand pain, sinus disability, right knee and ankle disabilities, cervical spine disability, left foot plantar fasciitis, thyroid disability, gallbladder removal with residuals, hysterectomy, and SMC based on loss of use. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions in light of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to April 6, 2022. From that date onwards, the claim for an increased rating remains pending and is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination for determining the severity of the right ankle disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the decision on the right ankle rating.