Ankle Board decisions

The Board restored the Veteran's 100% rating for prostate cancer effective March 1, 2015. The earlier effective date of March 1, 2015 is granted for SMC at the housebound rate and TDIU from February 6, 2008 to September 30, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, and low back disability due to additional development being required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee disorders, as well as his left foot disorder and right foot or ankle disorder. The case is remanded to provide another opportunity for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and right ankle disabilities as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are directly related to service or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, but denied service connection for other conditions including a duodenal ulcer, lumbar spine disability, neuropathy of the lower legs, cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the upper arm, right ankle disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral shin splints.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's low back and left ankle disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Phoenix Physical Therapy and SSA records for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted an increased rating to 30 percent, but no higher, prior to March 13, 2020. From March 13, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of a physician examination. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include right knee, left ankle, right ankle, acid reflux (ulcer), and low back disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure proper notification of their unavailability. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 20 percent rating for her service-connected right ankle sprain, finding that her current symptoms do not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the right hand has been granted. The claims for service connection related to cyst of the mouth, left ankle disability, right lateral epicondylitis and right wrist sprain are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues include chronic fatigue, a chronic joint condition (manifested by knee and ankle pain), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient examination findings and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle fracture, status/post total ankle replacement and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) have been denied as the medical evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right leg peripheral vascular disease resulted in claudication on walking less than 25 yards and an ankle/brachial index of 0.62, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to December 19, 2019, the Veteran had mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic and femoral nerves in both legs; as of that date, he had moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted service connection for joint hypermobility syndrome, right shoulder disorder, right scapular dysfunction, left knee meniscus tear, and right ankle disorder, all secondary to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral ankle condition due to lack of VA examination, and because there is evidence suggesting worsening of his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle degenerative arthritis, major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, and a back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,A separate claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia has also been remanded.

The Veteran requested a personal hearing and informal conference regarding his service connection claims. The Board has not scheduled these hearings, so the case is being remanded to do so.