Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating higher than 20 percent for the right ankle disability and granted service connection for a right hip disability, secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right eye dry eyes, cataracts of the left and right eyes, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left renal arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, recurrent subluxation of the left knee prior to May 13, 2020, left total knee replacement, disability rating in excess of 60 percent from September 1, 2021, forward for left total knee replacement, DJD of the right knee, right knee instability, burns of the bilateral ankles, linear scar of the left knee, post-surgical tender scars of the left knee, and a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) based upon service-connected disabilities prior to June 14, 2019.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral foot conditions to ensure proper notice and an opportunity for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence that it met a compensable level during the period on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, but denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, intestinal condition (chronic colitis), and chronic migraine disability.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and an earlier effective date of May 14, 2018, for radiculopathy right lower extremity. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability and a 10 percent rating for bilateral shin splints, while denying increased ratings for other disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for several disorders, granted service connection for tinnitus, and remanded additional claims for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied increased ratings for sleep apnea, left ankle scar, painful left ankle scar, acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), left foot metatarsalgia, and right knee limitation of flexion. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left foot neuropathy and 20 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disability, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor based on her reported symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left foot swelling/pain, a left ankle condition, and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the current disability and the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's left ankle subtalar degenerative joint disease with tibiotalar fusion and status post arthroscopy repair, as the evidence did not support a finding that his symptoms more nearly approximated ankylosis of the ankle.

The Board denied service connection for upper chest wall pain and right sciatic radicular pain, while remanding claims for secondary service connection involving the feet, legs, and ankles.

The Board granted service connection for left and right hip strain, left and right ankle pain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability. The claims for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and post traumatic residual pain and cramping of the left lower leg were remanded.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the left ankle disability, as the Veteran's symptoms, including pain and instability, more closely approximate marked limitation of motion.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right shoulder and right ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for various other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and restored the 20 percent rating for right ankle disability. The claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right ankle disability was denied, and the claim for service connection for hypertension was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a neck condition, plantar fasciitis, left ankle condition, and varicose veins to ensure that VA's duty to assist is followed and that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.