Ankle — all decisions

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 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 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 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 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 the Veteran's claims that five prior rating decisions were products of clear and unmistakable error. The Board found that the Veteran's arguments constituted disagreements with how the Agency of Original Jurisdiction weighed evidence in final prior decisions, which cannot rise to the level of valid CUE claims.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine, left ankle, and GERD disabilities but denied higher ratings for the right shoulder and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from September 22, 2020, but no higher. The appeal for TDIU and service connection claims were denied or dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck condition, bilateral elbow condition, bilateral hip condition, bilateral ankle condition, and narcolepsy due to inadequate VA examinations and potential pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including a back condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headaches, among others. It also granted increased ratings for PTSD and moderate, recurrent, major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including a back condition and shoulder, knee, and ankle conditions, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a link to in-service events.

The appeals for service connection and initial ratings were dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) being filed more than one year after the November 2022 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain and left ankle sprain, finding that the evidence was in approximate balance showing injuries during active duty training (ADT) from August 12, 2023 to August 25, 2023.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with TBI, granted separate ratings of 30 percent for BPPV and migraine headaches, and denied increased ratings for other conditions. Service connection was also denied for various disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment from December 12, 2001, and he is eligible for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance starting July 24, 2017.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for right hip, right knee, right ankle, hyposmia, and GERD disabilities to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left knee strain, left ankle disability, hypertension, and tinea pedis. The service connection claims for a right shoulder condition, right knee condition, and low back sprain were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left hand, right hand, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, and migraine headache disorders as there was no evidence of current disabilities or symptoms during the period on appeal.

The Board remands the claim for a right ankle disorder to VA for additional medical inquiry due to inadequate compensation examination reports.