Ankle Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD), headaches, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple knee and ankle conditions, as well as hypertension, are being remanded to the RO for initial consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of various joints prior to September 27, 2002 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all claims related to gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hallux rigidus, residuals of bilateral leg stress fracture, bilateral ankle disorders, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and tinea pedis due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's symptoms have been linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left ankle condition, left wrist condition, right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis due to additional relevant evidence since the last VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, right ankle disability, and left hand disability. The evidence did not show the presence of a current disability in any of these areas.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of June 19, 2006 for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities that require regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on the use of a right foot orthotic device was denied because there is no record of him using such an orthotic in 2020 or 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right leg disabilities and psychiatric condition, require regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining retrospective opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and VA range of motion measurements.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle conditions due to a lack of VA examinations and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's lay testimony will be considered in determining whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right ankle fracture and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,Service connection was not granted for either condition due to lack of credible medical evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture and left rhomboid muscle strain are currently rated, but the Board has remanded for further evaluation of his left rhomboid muscle strain. The dermatitis is noncompensable.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to a lack of medical evidence on file for determining the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The claims are REMANDED for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, hip disability, and muscle weakness due to post-polio syndrome. The claims are inextricably intertwined as they all stem from post-polio syndrome.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is granted service connection, and an increased disability rating of 40 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disorder (including arrhythmia and ischemic heart disease), and left ankle strain due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for diarrhea (IBS) and a left ankle condition, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ankle and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete STRs and inadequate etiology opinions.