Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected left third and fourth finger disabilities, as well as the initial rating for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, PFB, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for recurrent lumbar spine disability, recurrent right ankle disability, recurrent left ankle disability, right foot hallux valgus with gout and heel spurs, and left knee Osgood Schlatter's disease.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, a bilateral ankle sprain, a bilateral foot disability, a left fifth toe strain, a deviated nasal septum, residuals of an epididymectomy, chronic headache disability, and generalized anxiety disorder.,The Board found that the Veteran's low back, knee, ankle, foot, and toe disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether VA failed to timely diagnose and treat the Veteran's left ankle fracture in June 2016, which could affect her claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and the claims must be remanded for additional development.

The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the severity of the appellant's service-connected right and left ankle achilles tendonitis due to an increase in symptoms since the last examination. The RO will also review evidence submitted since the August 2017 SOC.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for these conditions are all denied as the evidence does not support direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA examinations and additional periods of active duty. The Veteran will be given another opportunity for VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) and intervertebral disc disease (IVDS) of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected stroke residuals. He is also granted financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to permanent loss of use of the left hand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection or an increase in rating for most of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional review of new evidence. Higher staged ratings are still at issue.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal, beginning January 15, 2002. Additionally, SMC at the housebound rate was granted from June 23, 2015 through June 18, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for her service-connected right and left ankle disabilities, as well as her right and left knee disabilities, have been denied. The rating for the right foot disability has also been denied.,A separate rating of 10 percent under DC 5261 is granted for the period since January 27, 2022, for the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as bilateral knee disabilities. The decision also remanded the claim of an increased rating for a right thumb disability.

The Veteran's right hip and left hip disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected right ankle disability.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities are also being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of her service-connected conditions. The issues include TDIU, a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, earlier effective dates for service connection, and various other disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as well as his requests to revise effective dates of service connection decisions related to sinusitis, back disability, and left ankle disability are all pending and require further review.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for sinusitis. The AOJ must consider whether there was CUE in the October 1985 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable initial rating for sinusitis.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for his back disability, which was awarded based on CUE in the October 2015 rating decision. The AOJ must review whether there was CUE in this decision as well.,Lastly, the Veteran is requesting a revision of the August 2011 rating decision that granted service connection for his left ankle disability due to CUE. The AOJ needs to determine if there was CUE in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is granted. The Board also grants the Veteran's claim for aggravation of his pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis by service, but remands the issue of service connection for lower extremity conditions other than rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral ankle disabilities and a separate compensable rating or ratings for neurological disability as secondary to bilateral ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of VA treatment records prior to November 2018 and inadequate examination findings.