Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, left foot disability, left ankle disability, and leg length discrepancy as the evidence did not show a current diagnosed disability or establish a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes planus, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and sinusitis due to insufficient detail in the previous VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The ratings for her knee and ankle disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

An initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted prior to June 24, 2020.,The claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder is reopened and the appeal is granted to this extent only.,Service connection for GERD is granted.,The appeal is remanded for further evaluation on the issue of service connection for a neck disorder.,The appeal is remanded for further evaluation on the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and lumbar strain have been granted earlier effective dates of July 9, 2010.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability has been granted. The Board finds the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current left shoulder rotator cuff issues and degenerative joint disease are due to repetitive-use injuries during active service.,The Veteran's service-connected right hip, right thigh, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities have been remanded for clarification of the July 2021 private opinion regarding obesity as an intermediate step. The examiner must provide a rationale addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, and if so, whether the obesity was a substantial factor in causing the claimed bilateral ankle, right hip, or right thigh conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected left hand disability has been remanded for an opinion on secondary service connection. The examiner must address both causation and aggravation to be deemed adequate. If aggravation is found, the examiner should attempt to quantify the degree of additional disability resulting from the aggravation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability rating and TDIU due to worsening left ankle symptoms. An updated VA examination is needed, as are Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the issues of an initial compensable rating for PFB, service connection for a chronic low back disorder, service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, service connection for chronic cardiovascular disease, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including cervical spine, right shoulder, left knee, and right ankle conditions. The issues are related to whether these conditions were caused or worsened by his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle/foot condition, and right ankle/foot condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of service treatment records and the Veteran's lay statements regarding her ankle/shin disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, including shin splints, which she claims are related to in-service physical activities and an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability is granted. The cases are remanded for further examinations and determinations regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied, and the left ankle disability issue is remanded due to lack of prior X-ray studies.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities have been reopened, but the Board has remanded both issues due to a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD and persistent depressive disorder has been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, right ankle disability, lumbosacral spine disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation for compensation was 80 percent prior to June 12, 2019, and 90 percent thereafter. The Board finds that remand is warranted for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's shin splints are granted a separate 10 percent disability rating from May 11, 2016. His right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic joint pains, bursitis of the right wrist, chondromalacia of the left and right knee, and left ankle strain. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (claimed as memory loss) is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot arthritis has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.,Initial ratings of 20 percent are assigned for right ankle disability (including instability) and left ankle disability (including instability). Separate ratings of at least 10 percent are assigned for right knee status post meniscectomy and right knee instability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted an evaluation of 30 percent from July 7, 2008 to December 7, 2012.