Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his knee, ankle, and hand disabilities due to unclear medical opinions and the need for additional development.

The Board dismissed the appeal seeking service connection for hearing loss, right ear. The case of left ankle, post fracture dislocation is remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 1, 2015. The matter of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU from February 6, 2008, to September 29, 2009 is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, but his higher ratings for various disabilities and effective date claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims regarding his service-connected disabilities, specifically left knee and bilateral ankle conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations from an examiner with sufficient expertise.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle condition is denied. The Veteran's left ankle calcific enthesopathy has been granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, left leg and right leg varicose veins, lumbar degenerative disc disease, impairment of the left hip/thigh, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, left hip arthritis/limitation of flexion, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, right foot hammertoes, left foot hammertoes, and right hip strain, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran is required to be examined again by a medical professional to determine if their right ankle disability is related to service, and whether it was caused or aggravated by other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left ankle fracture residuals, heart murmur, hypertension, osteoarthritis neck and shoulder, proteinuria (claimed as a kidney disease), right foot condition, actinic keratosis, and disability claimed as actinic keratosis. The claims are remanded due to unclear duty status during service.

All claims for service connection related to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies have been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to bilateral otosclerosis with impaired hearing, post-operative stapedectomies is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ankle sprain claims are being remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, right ankle chronic lateral collateral ligament sprain, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, arthralgias of multiple joints including lumbar spine, feet, ankles, and knees, and TDIU due to inadequate examination and medical opinions. The Veteran is advised that he may be required to undergo further examinations if he does not cooperate with VA’s attempts.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder dislocation injury (now diagnosed as degenerative arthritis) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, left ankle, and right ankle conditions. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, along with her ankle disabilities, are rated at 30 percent each from August 3, 2017. The TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and right knee disability were denied. The low back disability claim was remanded. The initial evaluations for the left knee and ankle sprain residuals are also remanded.

For the initial rating period from June 16, 2009 to February 24, 2016, a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability is granted.,For the initial rating period from February 24, 2016 forward, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability is denied.,For the initial rating period from June 16, 2009 to December 7, 2017, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle disability is denied.,For the initial rating period from December 7, 2017 forward, a higher initial disability rating of 40 percent for the right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right ankle, rib fractures, lung condition, and back disorder are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.