Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU from June 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the August 2017 VA examination report and the need for further clarification on whether the Veteran's left foot pain causes functional impairment related to his service. The examiner is also requested to provide an opinion regarding secondary service connection due to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left ankle disability due to insufficient examination reports. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, verify periods of active duty, and schedule new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for further evaluation and evidence collection.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions. His right ankle disability has been increased to a 20% rating, and the initial compensable rating for his right ankle scars is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, depression (secondary to service-connected tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of healed fracture), and his current left fourth metacarpal phalangeal disability have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death and if his ventricular tachycardia had its onset in service or was otherwise related to a disease or injury in service, including ionizing radiation exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and missing claims file, which may affect the determination of whether the Veteran's left ankle disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals regarding service connection for various conditions. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, a left ankle disability, tinnitus, bronchitis, headaches (secondary to rhinitis), and sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for further development in several areas.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his right ankle condition. The rating for his service-connected right ankle scar remains granted at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and right ankle disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but he has not been granted a permanent and total disability rating for any of his service-connected conditions. The Board denies the claim as there is no legal basis to grant Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, and left elbow disability. The appeal is remanded for additional development regarding hypertension and eye disabilities.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for his claimed conditions as they are considered to be directly related to the natural aging process rather than service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder due to military sexual trauma is granted a 70% rating from November 1, 2015, to prior to January 4, 2017. A higher rating is denied for the period of January 4, 2017, to prior to March 21, 2018, and from June 1, 2018, onwards.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 13, 2006, for service connection of low back strain was denied. The Board also remanded several issues related to his knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an effective date have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right ankle disabilities are not related to his service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.