Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, particularly his lower back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, loss of feeling of the right hand disability, loss of feeling of the left hand disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral knees, bilateral ankles, and bilateral hands due to insufficient medical opinions in the record.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for aplastic anemia and ventral hernia have been withdrawn. The appeal to reopen his claim of arthritis of the joints has been granted, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for left ankle disability, migraine headaches, or acquired psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's current headache disability has been found to be secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability and associated numbness and weakness is granted, with a separate 20% rating effective from April 23, 2013. The maximum schedular ratings are assigned.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and TDIU claim are being remanded for further development, including an updated examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back, shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle, and groin conditions. The case is being remanded to schedule VA examinations and obtain pertinent medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, to include a chronic left ankle sprain. The right ankle and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right and left ankle condition due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the etiology of his conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, request an in-person examination if necessary, and provide the Veteran another opportunity to complete VA Form 21-4142.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent, and higher ratings are not warranted.,The Veteran's left foot disability with massive tissue loss, severed heel pad and recurrent dislocated metatarsal joint has a combined rating in excess of 40 percent for disabilities below the knee, precluding any additional rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development and new medical opinions being required.

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

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 11, 2018. The Board granted a higher rating based on ankylosis of the right ankle.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is rated at a 10 percent disability rating under the old and new criteria. The Board has now granted a higher rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for right ankle disorder, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, low back disability, and left leg radiculopathy as secondary to his low back disability.,There is no evidence of a current right ankle or low back disability that began during active service. The VA examiner found that any current right ankle disability was less likely caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims are also remanded for further examination regarding his right wrist disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, right hip disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.

The Board has directed that the Veteran's records of VA-authorized fee-basis treatment and scanned/VistA imaging records be associated with her file. The issues related to ratings for wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and ankle fracture residuals, as well as TDIU prior to August 11, 2021, are being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as they are related to claims of new and material evidence for various conditions, including bilateral ankle disability, pes planus, tinea cruris, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran died during the appeal process.