Ankle Board decisions

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, skin disorder, and CFS were denied as there was no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's ankle conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's right and left ankle achilles tendonitis with calcific tendinopathy are rated at 20 percent, more than the initially assigned 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he does not have a single disability rated at 100% and his disabilities are not so severe that they render him substantially confined to his residence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination report and failure to consider the effects of medication on the Veteran's left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and a low back disorder, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 28, 2019 for the establishment of entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of tonsillectomy with dysphagia is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has identified issues for remand related to service connection claims and effective date determinations. The appellant's appeal includes multiple conditions, including a headache disability, left ankle and foot disabilities, low back disability, knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Board is directed to address the issues of service connection for these conditions and determine appropriate effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of headaches.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ankle strains, wrist strains, neck strain, arm radiculopathy, or leg radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, heart disorder, insomnia, sexual arousal disorder, gynecological disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and HTN. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and headache disorder secondary to PTSD with alcohol use disorder have been granted increased ratings, effective September 16, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 19, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as 30% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 20% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated as 20% since August 3, 2024.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 10% prior to August 27, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches and denied service connection for cervical strain, left knee strain, and left ankle deltoid ligament sprain. The remaining claims have been granted or are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left, right knee disabilities and right ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The cases will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip disabilities, together with his service-connected residuals of left ankle fracture, resulted in the loss of use of his bilateral lower extremities and affected the functions of his balance and propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of crutches, a walker, or a cane. The Board has granted entitlement to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH).

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip disabilities, together with his service-connected residuals of left ankle fracture, resulted in the loss of use of his bilateral lower extremities and affected the functions of his balance and propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of crutches, a walker, or a cane. The Board has granted entitlement to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH).

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for his healed left ankle fracture as the reduction was not proper due to lack of evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.