Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to insufficient medical evidence and requires a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right ankle disorder, Achilles tendon disorder, left fifth toe disorder, and low back disorder are related to her active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 27, 2016.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and left ankle disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of disability ratings due to inadequate examinations, new evidence not considered by the RO, and issues related to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims of increased rating for right fibula fracture with continuing ankle disability and service connection for a heart disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability due to inconsistencies in the January 2017 VA examination report. The Veteran needs an updated medical evaluation and opinion on whether his current diagnoses are related to his service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for depression, left shoulder labral repair, thoracolumbar spine strain, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, and a lumbosacral spine disability.,There is no evidence of a current mental disability, current knee or ankle disability, or compensable spinal disability.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia. The case was remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's right ankle, right knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left elbow disorders.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher disability evaluations for service-connected left knee injury, right knee disability, and residuals of right ankle injury, post-operative as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's left ankle, sinusitis, back disability, and neck disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and pes planus, finding no current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's use of ankle braces for his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities wore out or damaged their clothing, which is sufficient to warrant a clothing allowance for 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records and complete VA forms. He also needs to undergo examinations for his ankle disorders, foot conditions, and mental health issues.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 27, 2014 for the grant of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left and right ankle achilles rupture were denied as there was no evidence showing that the injury occurred earlier than December 27, 2014. The claim for TDIU on a schedular basis was also denied due to the Veteran not meeting the percentage requirements. The claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 3, 2009. The Board denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle condition has not improved with the recent surgery, and he is requesting a higher initial rating. The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressor. The right ankle disorder issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The specific issues on appeal include ratings for various service-connected disabilities and a claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.