Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete records and need for a VA retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining her employment history and VA medical opinions regarding the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding that it is due to an in-service injury and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle disability, low back disability, neck disability, and right upper extremity neuropathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible assertions of in-service injuries resulting in current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in previous decisions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, along with associated radiculopathy in both lower extremities and left ankle disability, are all rated at 40 percent disabling for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis is granted as service connection. The claim for hypertension and degenerative disabilities of the lumbar spine are denied.,Further examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran had exposure to asbestos in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral ankle and foot disorders, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied service connection for left knee condition, right ankle condition, and bilateral hip condition (secondary to left knee condition).,Service connection was not granted as there is no persuasive evidence linking the current conditions to service or any other established theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded two issues: the bilateral ankle condition claim due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination, and the digestive system disorder claim due to lack of a nexus between the claimed condition and active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot, ankle, and knee arthritis but denied service connection for right foot, ankle, and knee arthritis.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle condition is reopened, but the case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and events or injuries during his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 20 percent each, based on marked limitation of motion. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant higher ratings.,The Veteran's left hamstring tear has not yet had a rating assigned due to lack of definitive information regarding abduction loss beyond 10 degrees. The case is being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's left ankle Achilles tendonitis is currently rated as non-compensably disabling (10%) and his right ankle Achilles tendonitis is rated at 20%. The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for both conditions.,The Veteran also did not meet the criteria for TDIU, as he was found to have skills in a field that allowed him to maintain substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his right elbow strain, right knee strain, and foot disorder. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and spinal stenosis, have rendered him unable to meet most of his daily personal needs without regular aid and attendance from another individual. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's physical limitations.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's anemia is rated as noncompensable, and the right and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The scars are rated at 10 percent. The left knee and right knee arthropathies are both rated at 10 percent. The left shoulder and right shoulder rotator tendinopathies are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's anemia is not compensable, as her hemoglobin levels have been above the threshold for a compensable rating.