Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, did not render him unemployable prior to June 27, 2014. As of that date, the issue of TDIU is moot due to the assignment of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability and is currently considering whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, hip, and ankle disabilities due to lack of diagnosis. The claim of service connection for a neck disability is reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not alone or in combination render the Veteran unemployable, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a right hip disability, and the left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, manifested by instability and pain, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since February 1, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability, left knee disability, and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back strain prior to July 10, 2013 was also denied. For a staged rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain from July 10, 2013, the Board found insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's service treatment records being fire-related, and a VA examination is needed to confirm the diagnosis of traumatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of multiple joints, are not service-connected. The right ankle condition is service-connected due to in-service trauma, but other joint conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right hip, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not comply with previous remands and additional development is required. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right ankle disorder are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD, ischemic heart condition, tinnitus, lumbar osteoarthritis, radiculopathy of the right leg, and ankle strain have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on his PTSD alone.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a possible TDIU determination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not warranted, and the Veteran's right ankle disorder is not found to be aggravated by his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of in-service orthopedic injuries, and therefore service connection for left knee, right leg, and right ankle disorders cannot be established.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disorders, finding that the Veteran's current ankle conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his military service and is granted. The right ankle and skin disabilities are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, right knee sprain, and recurrent left ankle strain are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical examination reports that failed to comply with the Court's holdings in Mitchell v. Shinseki and DeLuca v. Brown.