Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from maintaining gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the maximum rating of 40 percent is already assigned for his right ankle disability due to the amputation rule, and a higher rating is not warranted for his right elbow compression with ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations due to concerns about the thoroughness of previous evaluations and the need for more detailed information regarding functional loss.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, right ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities were denied. The claim of service connection for anxiety and depression secondary to PTSD was granted. However, the Board found no current disability for the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right foot and ankle conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has found that referral for extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, right knee, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities or causal relationship.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and rating for his knee, plantar fasciitis, low back condition, and ankle disorders due to inadequate examinations in prior VA evaluations.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis disability was granted a 30 percent rating from October 23, 2012, to August 23, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for left ankle and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left ankle and foot disabilities, low back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since his retirement in July 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disability renders him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder and varicose veins, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's cause of death, suicide, was related to his service-connected low back disability and other conditions. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his right hip, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for left clubfoot, left ankle condition, left hip condition, flat feet, and left knee disability. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not found to be aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset in service and continues to this day, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current ankle condition is related to his service. The VA-contracted examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion based on the medical records and lay statements.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD is granted, and her migraine headaches are found to be related to her service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the VA examinations inadequate and remands for further examination on right shoulder disorder, right ankle fracture and ligaments, irritable bowel syndrome, and pilonidal cyst removal residuals.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was found to be moot due to the assignment of a full grant of benefits. The appeal as to bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, pheochromocytoma, right ankle strain status post surgery with calcaneal spurring, tinnitus, and hypertension have been granted. The rating for right ankle strain status post surgery with calcaneal spurring is set at 10 percent.