Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues is remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and a low back disability, both diagnosed as sprains, based on their onset during the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The conditions are deemed to have been incurred during active duty.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disability, temporary total evaluation due to right knee disability requiring convalescence beyond April 1, 2018, and SMC based on housebound beyond April 1, 2018. The remaining issues of rating excess ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, left ankle strain, and displaced fracture of the right middle finger are REMANDED.

Service connection is granted for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left-hand condition with tingling, right-hand condition with tingling, left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ankle strain were granted service connection, but the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed, granting his claims for service connection and increased ratings.

The Veteran's right knee, shoulder, and ankle conditions are being remanded for additional development.,Further medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left ankle disability was withdrawn. The initial 70 percent rating for depressive disorder prior to April 6, 2021 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of depressive disorder since April 6, 2021 remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disability, lumbosacral strain with sciatica, and right leg neuralgia need further development due to inadequate notification of scheduled examinations. The case is being remanded for these issues.

The Veteran's left fibula condition is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under DC 5262.,Both his right and left knee conditions are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings available under DCs 5260 and 5257.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, chronic fatigue and weakness due to thyroidectomy residuals, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral tinnitus, and migraine headaches disorder.,There is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or causal connections between the Veteran's claimed conditions and her active service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder as due to right ankle condition, and hernia residuals. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of his bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and back disability is remanded due to a previous denial in April 2013. The issues are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture disability does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder (to include hearing loss and hyperacusis), right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee stress fractures, bilateral tibia stress fractures, and bilateral ankle disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.,The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding her current diagnoses.