Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right and left ankle disorders, and a psychiatric disorder has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s pes planus pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's fractured right ankle was incurred during a period of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) in the Air Force Reserves. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection and increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities due to pending adjudication of his increased rating claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and rating of various conditions, including right and left ankle disorders, gout, wrist pain (carpal tunnel syndrome), knee degenerative joint disease, and allergic rhinitis. The Board has dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's right ankle ORIF with broken screw removal and thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease are granted on an aggravation basis. The left ankle disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal. The case has been remanded due to issues with the low back condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for respiratory disorder, right and left knee disabilities, right and left wrist disorders, right and left ankle disorders, and tinnitus have been denied.,Initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran’s right and left knee disabilities were also denied.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various ankle, hip, and knee disabilities as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, finding that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issue of arthritis of the hands. The right foot and ankle disability is rated as 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for postoperative right ankle arthritis. The left leg and right leg disabilities are denied. Right hip and left hip disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the ankle disabilities are caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities, as the current VA examinations did not provide sufficient information regarding the severity of the conditions during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability, as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service. A new VA examination will be conducted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, low back, and right ankle disorders due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these issues. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but no VA examination was provided for this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability, finding that it most closely approximates moderate limitation of motion and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the right shoulder, ankle, and foot disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disorder is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disorder, and to obtain Social Security Administration records.