Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rhinitis, sinusitis, sleep apnea, dysentery, rectal bleeding, IBS, cystitis, arthritis, deviated septum with residuals, bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, and a headache disability due to outstanding evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is at least as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain with longitudinal split tear of the peroneus brevis tendon and plantar fasciitis. The appeals seeking service connection for left knee condition and skin condition have been dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of a fracture of the left distal tibia and fibula with varus deformity and left ankle fracture with limitation of motion and left knee condition with arthritis, as well as an increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The appeal seeking SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being submitted after the September 2016 SOC, March 2017 SSOC, and September 2018 decision. The AOJ is instructed to consider this new evidence in their next rating decision.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities as they are already compensated by his service-connected radiculopathy. The issues of initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for neck disability, service connection for bilateral shoulder disability (secondary to neck disability), and service connection for bilateral knee disability have been REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for MDD has been reopened, with the Board finding that new and material evidence has been received to support this claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has also been reopened, with the Board finding that new and material evidence has been received to support this claim.

The Veteran's initial separate 10% rating for right knee arthritis with instability is granted, and the restoration of his 30% rating for service-connected right ankle arthritis is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee claimed as instability has been withdrawn. The Veteran's left ankle condition is granted service connection due to its being proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability. The cases of hypertension and hip conditions are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted a higher rating of 50 percent since January 18, 2021. The remaining issues were remanded for further development.,Service connection was established for stomach disability and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are being REMANDED due to the need to obtain missing service treatment records and personnel records. The Veteran is also seeking VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle condition, including degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to a right ankle injury during service. Service connection for residuals of right ankle injury and degenerative joint disease is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and issues regarding the competency of examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence from the period prior to March 28, 2018. The VA will need to provide updated treatment records and schedule a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability and scar.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right ankle instability/laxity as of April 4, 2012, but no earlier. The Veteran's right ankle limitation of motion remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's bowel disability is not service-connected as it is not related to his active-duty service, nor is it proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's bilateral elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further development.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions and initial disability ratings, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle disability, which is claimed as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability. The decision also includes a remand for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 23, 2021, and in excess of 20 percent as of June 23, 2021, for a left ankle disability.