Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective September 20, 2018, based on his service-connected disabilities resulting in a combined rating of 90 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and did not warrant readjudication of the left knee or low back disability claims due to lack of relevant new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that entitlement did not arise prior to April 8, 2014. The decision states there is no lay or medical evidence showing the Veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities before this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to internal inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinions. The AOJ must obtain another opinion that addresses these concerns, including theories of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability, finding that it is manifested by moderate limited motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and an increased rating for his right ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service. The Veteran's current disabilities were found not to warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations, incomplete service records, and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The issues include right hip disability, related knee and ankle conditions, depression and anxiety secondary to the hip condition, and IBS secondary to the hip condition.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, and hip disorders as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any other compensable period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right hip disability, right ankle DJD, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The issues of increased ratings for knees are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that it warrants a higher rating of 20 percent effective from November 14, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, presumed secondary to his right ankle and right knee disabilities as well as asthma, should be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and granted a 20% rating for the residuals of left ankle fracture, but denied compensable ratings for seborrheic dermatitis.

The Veteran's COPD is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His hearing loss of the left ear is also rated at non-compensable.,The Veteran has been found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from October 20, 2010 to October 8, 2013 and this TDIU status is granted.,Right knee condition and left ankle condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service. The appellant did not have continuous symptoms after the in-service injury and the VA examiner found no link between the 1990 injury and the current ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and aid and attendance and/or other special monthly compensation due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again with additional evidence and possibly an examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at a 20 percent rating from September 1, 1956 to December 31, 2006. The Board granted the claim for TDIU effective April 10, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to complex medical history and need for review by an Orthopedic specialist. The Veteran's right below-the-knee amputation is being reviewed, as well as his employability prior to July 5, 2017.