Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle strain is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his right ankle strain (status post-surgery) prior to September 2, 2021, is also rated at 10 percent. The case has been remanded for further development.,For the period from September 2, 2021 onwards, the Veteran's right ankle strain status post-surgery is rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has found that the VA examinations are inadequate and additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis with prosthesis.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a right ankle condition to obtain additional evidence and an addendum opinion.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, bilateral ankle, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to unclear evidence regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance. Therefore, eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right ankle sprain, status post peroneal tendon rupture and plantar fasciitis of the right foot as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The left shoulder, right ankle, and left knee disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The claims for service connection for breast cancer, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right trapazoidectomy, and left trapazoidectomy are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Additional evidence or clarification may be required to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now granted. The Board found new and material evidence that supports the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, plantar tendonitis, heel spurs, knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a higher 70 percent rating, but ratings for his ankle disabilities and other conditions are denied. The claims for service connection of low back disability, left foot disability (radiculopathy), facial scars, and facial lesions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for readjudication due to a lack of consideration of recent evidence in the April 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence requiring further development by the AOJ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rhinitis, sinus problems, lung spots, bilateral hearing loss, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, and TBI.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle, low back, and bilateral hand conditions. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking an increase in his rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which may impact his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection. The remaining appealed issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, right knee injury, and residuals of right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his right ankle disability has been dismissed as a matter of law due to concurrent election and withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right foot pain began during service, and grants service connection for these conditions.