Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to January 22, 2018 is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his ability to work. The Board finds a need for further medical opinions on the impact of service-connected disabilities and the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder on employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right and left 11th cranial nerves, right and left ankle disabilities, and thoracic strain with degenerative arthritis are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left wrist disability, and left ankle disability. The right ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's left ankle condition has been rated at 20 percent since December 18, 2009. The Board found that the current evidence does not support a higher rating due to no more than pain and limitation of motion.

The Board has added new medical evidence to the record and has decided that some of the Veteran's claims for service connection need to be reconsidered. The issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including higher staged initial ratings for cervical spine and thoracic discogenic disease, as well as claims of service connection for bilateral hip, ankle, knee, upper extremity, and lower extremity disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional opinions on whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of right foot disability and granted it, finding that there is a reasonable possibility that his current disabilities are related to his military service.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various knee, ankle, and shoulder conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. The Board finds no basis for granting any of the requested benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or relationship to current symptoms. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to April 24, 2014 was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected conditions alone or in combination did not preclude him from securing or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial rating for his residuals of a right ankle sprain was granted at 20 percent effective August 2, 2018. The Veteran's initial rating for his residuals of a left ankle sprain remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for left ankle disability. The issues include right ankle disability, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and vertigo.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of a TBI, an increased evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, an increased rating for his Achilles tendon rupture, a compensable evaluation for his scar, and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for some of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders, including shoulder, knee, ankle, wrist, hand, and foot conditions, as well as hypertension and sleep apnea. Additional verification is needed regarding his active service after October 2009.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, a growth on his chest, and residuals of a lipoma on the head have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for right ankle strain, left knee strain, and residuals of a left elbow fracture have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD with ADHD during the period from September 30, 2015 to June 26, 2017 has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and lumbar strain have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for allergic rhinitis, sinus disability, left knee and ankle disabilities, foot disabilities, cold injury residuals of the feet, and eye disabilities. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability remains at 30 percent. The Veteran's anxiety disorder and depression are rated at 70 percent effective December 12, 2019. A TDIU claim has been remanded.