Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran seeks higher ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities, but the current assigned ratings do not adequately reflect the severity of his symptomatology during flare-up episodes.,A new VA examination is needed to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities in accordance with the new applicable rating criteria.

The claims for service connection for right and left hip disorders, as well as for hypertensive cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type II are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is also being remanded for a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, and a left ankle disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability and denied service connection for right ankle, left knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The case is remanded for further development regarding a skin disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include Reiter’s syndrome, low back disability, bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is denied as it is not shown to have been aggravated by service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability (gout) is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities have been denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 5, 2020 has also been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from January 21, 2016. The left ankle and left wrist disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle calcaneal spur with degenerative arthritis was granted, and he is now receiving a 30 percent disability rating effective December 23, 2020.,A separate compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the painful right ankle scar was also granted effective December 23, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown during active service or within one year of separation. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and left ankle scar, caused him to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 3, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral leg disability, left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), asthma, ulcers, and right ankle disability due to lack of current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities are related to service, but his low back disability and headache disability have not been established as being related to service. The claims for these conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected residuals of osteomyelitis of the left ankle, specifically whether it resulted in limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle, right ankle, left shoulder, and right hand disabilities as the evidence did not show they were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left leg/knee injury as there is no evidence showing the condition had onset in or was related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of left ankle and right wrist injuries were denied by the Board. The left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, while the right wrist injury is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional military personnel and medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of various ankle, hip, knee, and foot conditions due to insufficient rationale provided in the VA examiner's opinions. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not result in marked limitation of motion.