Ankle Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence does not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is currently rated as 10 percent for the period from October 20, 2016 to February 6, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating beyond this date has been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been withdrawn and are dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal as to all issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle condition.

The claim of service connection for left ankle and neck disorders is being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional information and medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture has been granted increased ratings from September 30, 2008 to April 7, 2019 (10% rating) and from April 8, 2019 onwards (20% rating).,Increased ratings have also been granted for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in the right lower extremity from September 30, 2008 to June 14, 2016 (10% rating) and from June 15, 2016 onwards (10% rating).,Increased ratings have also been granted for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in the left lower extremity from September 30, 2008 to June 14, 2016 (10% rating) and from June 15, 2016 onwards (10% rating).,Increased ratings have also been granted for femoral nerve radiculopathy in the right lower extremity from March 12, 2012 to April 11, 2021 (10% rating) and from April 12, 2021 onwards (20% rating).

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher rating can be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and asthma. The conditions are found to be etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The remaining issues on appeal are being remanded as well.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, alcohol and substance abuse, bilateral pes planus, migraine headaches, cataracts, vertigo, and glaucoma. The claims for left ankle/foot disorders other than pes planus, right knee injuries, and left knee injuries are denied.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia patella of the right knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle.,Secondary service connection is also granted for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella of the left knee.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeals for service connection and increased ratings on multiple disabilities, including right knee disability, flat wart hand, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis, and TDIU.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hyperthyroidism, a chronic disability manifested by diarrhea, neck condition, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right ankle osteoarthritis.,Service connection is remanded for left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), diabetes, hypertension, kidney condition, residuals of a pilonidal sinus cyst, and bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Board has already granted favorable decisions on these issues.,The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and SMC remain pending, and further review is required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left ankle disorder and right knee disability, as secondary to a left ankle disorder. The decision is based on insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, and his right and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent from October 19, 2007 to November 10, 2011 and at 20 percent since August 16, 2012. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and thus granting the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the functional impairment attributable to his service-connected disabilities.