Ankle Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed left shoulder strain and impingement syndrome, cervical strain with myositis, lumbar strain with myositis, bilateral iliopsoas tendinitis of the hips, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, right ankle tendinitis, chronic left ankle sprain, and bilateral lateral epicondylitis of the elbows.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has found the March 2021 decision inadequate and remanded for an updated medical review to determine if the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, and toileting. The decision also notes that the Veteran may require regular supervision, protection, or instruction to keep himself safe.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder disorder and left ankle disorder have been granted.,Service connection has also been denied for the remaining issues: bilateral eyesight loss, bilateral hearing loss, burn scar on the left side of the neck, and a back disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent from January 23, 2019. The right knee instability is granted an initial rating of 10 percent effective December 8, 2015. The right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2020 and thereafter in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability and right ankle disability are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine the current severity of these conditions, as well as their etiology. The examiner is asked to consider whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headache disability, right ankle sprain and residuals of fibula fracture, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric testing did not support such a rating.,A 20 percent rating for right ankle disability from March 12, 2012 to October 26, 2020 was granted based on marked limitation of motion. The claim for a compensable rating after October 27, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not show any 'marked' limitation of motion.,A compensable rating for right ankle disability from October 27, 2020 was denied due to lack of 'marked' limitation of motion.

The Board has denied an increased rating for a fractured right ankle and remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral hip disability and TDIU. The Veteran's attorney requested additional medical opinions on these matters.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to their severity.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues, including colitis, left varicocele, bowel incontinence, shoulder disability, knee disability, GERD, and right leg disability. Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected painful scars, right hand, right calf, and right ankle were found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent due to the lack of unstable or painful scars.

The Veteran's muscle injury to the calf muscles is granted as secondary to his service-connected left tibia disability. The initial rating for PTSD is granted at 70 percent, effective November 19, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for impingement syndrome of the left shoulder with slap tear and degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The right shoulder and right ankle conditions are granted service connection, but further examination is needed for other claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, gastrointestinal disease (including sigmoid diverticulosis), and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's left knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion and instability, with the instability rating effective from October 22, 2018. The right ankle condition has a current rating of 10 percent.,Both conditions have been denied as there is no evidence to support ratings in excess of the assigned percentages.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle strain and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific claims decided.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a right ankle disorder, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder (including as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability), and service-connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The remand is due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent, and no higher. The other claims for scars have also not met the criteria for a compensable rating.