Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and granulomatous disease with lymph nodes. Service connection was granted for eczema.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another. The issues regarding service connection for Parkinson’s disease and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD have not yet been adjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (right anterior tibial compartment syndrome, left anterior tibial compartment syndrome, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, left interior tibial nerve, and left posterior tibial nerve) preclude him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 27, 2017. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to this date have been met.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for a left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, headache disorder, and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's representative withdrew all claims on appeal, including the request for a hearing and the appeals regarding his left ankle and right ankle conditions. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various hip, knee, foot, and ankle disorders due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty or inactive duty training. The appellant's claims are based on National Guard service, but the available medical records do not support a link between his current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, left ankle disability, and left tarsal tunnel syndrome, have a combined rating of 70 percent. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has worsened since his last VA examination, and he is unable to work due to the condition. The Board finds that a remand is necessary for a new VA examination and readjudication of both claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include ratings for right ankle, lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are remanded as further development is needed to obtain missing STRs and to provide a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and possible worsening of his hearing loss symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 2, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings and service connection for various hand, wrist, and ankle conditions has been remanded due to incomplete records of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right-hand disability, low back disability, and left ankle disability due to a lack of service treatment records and missing current medical records.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's lower back and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete testing in previous evaluations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded one issue for further examination. The Veteran's claims for left ankle disorder, skin condition (rash on back), and heart condition (chest pains including as secondary to hypertension) are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for an extension of the temporary total disability rating, earlier effective date for service connection, and earlier effective date for a 10% rating for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle are all remanded due to procedural or factual issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for the left ankle was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the rating for the left foot and ankle was also denied due to lack of evidence of moderate or moderately severe symptoms.

The Veteran's right leg, right ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities are granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss is also granted as service-connected. Tinnitus secondary to his bilateral hearing loss is also granted.