Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities have been granted. However, the appeals are still pending as they were remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, as well as patella tendonitis with history of Osgood-Schlatter disease of the right knee, are each rated at 20 percent disabling. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether obesity caused or aggravated the Veteran's ankle disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left ankle condition, finding that it is not related to an in-service injury or caused by her service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with shin splints.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder in September 2015 and an ankle disorder in September 2008. The Veteran's claims were not reopened.,For the low back, new evidence did not relate to Shedden element (3), the relationship between current symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection for bilateral knees, left ankle, and hips due to concerns about the qualifications of the VA examiner who conducted the examinations. The Veteran's representative requested additional information regarding the qualifications of the June 2021 VA examiner.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate for adjudicating this case and has ordered additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining if combat conditions apply. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in assessing her claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to March 19, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent beginning March 19, 2019 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals, shrapnel wound, left shoulder region and upper arm area, right hip/thigh area, and right leg/ankle area are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ulnar nerve peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or continuity of symptomatology. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. A separate 10% rating was granted from January 25, 2019.,Right ankle and left ankle disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating under current VA regulations.,The Veteran's right foot disability has been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. No higher rating is warranted due to lack of evidence of more severe impairment.,The Veteran's left foot disability has also been rated at 10% since July 1, 2013. No higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) as secondary to PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD has also been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, posterior tibialis tenosynovitis of the right ankle, and arthritis of the right knee have been granted. The kidney condition is secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn for several conditions, including hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition. The claims for varicose veins, lower back condition, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain are granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lower back condition is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and right ankle disorders due to additional development being required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right and left ankle/foot disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected back disability. The VA needs to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ankle disability have been granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a pilonidal cyst.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left ankle and right shoulder disorders due to additional medical inquiry.