Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as well as GERD. The VA examinations were not conducted in accordance with the May 2018 Board remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for updated examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service or secondary to other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, right foot disorder, multiple body trauma, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disorder, and anxiety disorder. The evidence submitted did not provide new or material information to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 14, 2018. The Board found that his service-connected conditions alone did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a left ankle disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran’s claim has been received, as it indicates that the Veteran currently has symptomatology related to a left ankle condition.

The Veteran's use of VA-issued bilateral ankle and knee braces is found to consistently wear or tear his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2017. The Board granted this request based on relative equipoise in the evidence.