Ankle Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for depression and a right ankle disorder, reopening the claims based on new evidence submitted since the last denial in March 2005.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and a right foot disorder, finding that the appellant did not have these conditions during his military service or within one year of separation. The evidence showed no chronicity of symptoms after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle disability and left knee disability due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for atypical chest pain and entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The remaining issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left ankle disability, painful scar of the left lateral malleolus, linear scar of the left lower extremity, and lumbar spine disability as well as service connection for headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee impairment (instability) prior to September 21, 2015 is rated at 10 percent and not higher.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for a low back disorder, left ankle disorder, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy/tremors, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy/tremors, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy/tremors is remanded due to outstanding medical records and further evaluation being necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and right knee disability have been shown to cause his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, which is now granted. Additionally, his acquired psychiatric disorder has also been found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his allergic rhinitis is granted a non-compensable rating prior to August 27, 2015 and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's left ankle disability remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected right ankle sprain has been denied. The case is now remanded to consider increased ratings for the left knee lateral meniscal tear.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee and shoulder disabilities have been remanded due to the lack of service treatment records. The Board finds that new evidence has reopened the claims, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle disability is granted at a 20 percent level. Service connection for cold injury to the hands and hematosis acid reflux indigestion (GERD) are remanded due to inadequate nexus opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the left ankle, knee, and hip do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. The Board finds that they are not shown to be of such nature and severity as to render him unable to secure and maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current condition and his military service.,For the residuals of coccyx injury, the Board found insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current pain to his in-service tailbone injury. The case was remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence of worsening knee conditions, as well as secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 24, 2020.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was previously rated at 30 percent prior to March 18, 2013 and increased to 40 percent since February 2, 2021. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of these levels.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, shoulder, and arm disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no direct or secondary evidence supporting the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gouty arthritis of the right great toe and left ankle, as well as initial compensation for kidney stones, have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to proceed with these matters.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, ADHD). The Board also remanded her claims for service connection for right leg pain and weakness, left leg pain and weakness, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right hip condition, sinusitis, and lower back condition.,The Veteran's current bilateral leg pain and weakness are related to her service-connected left hip strain. The Veteran's current bilateral ankle conditions may be related to her active military service. Her current acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, ADHD) is likely related to her in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus and left ankle disability, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.