Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for left knee, left ankle, and right ankle conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and increased ratings. The claims will be readjudicated after any necessary development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, numbness of the feet, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders have been reopened. The appeals are granted to these extents only.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a left wrist disability other than the scar from ganglion removal. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for the left wrist scar resulting from the removal of a ganglion cyst during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to July 9, 2018. A higher rating in excess of 20 percent is denied from that date forward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete scheduling of VA examinations and lack of communication with the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including the physical rigors of basic training. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back strain, cervical strain, right ankle strain, tinnitus, eczema, and headaches, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for deep venous thrombosis (left leg) and left ankle pain secondary to the left leg disability, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with its March 2016 remand directive and provide an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred for extraschedular consideration prior to July 22, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and a left foot disability, to include as secondary to his right ankle disability. The issues are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, left tennis elbow, and left eye condition (condition of the cornea) were granted with effective dates prior to October 18, 2012.,Service connection was denied for fibromyalgia, low back pain, arthritis also claimed as joint pain (cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee and bilateral ankles), and respiratory problems and asthma.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and left ankle disabilities due to lack of recent VA examinations, and new evidence has been added since the last decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating. The cases of right heel spurs and left heel spurs are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of various disabilities, including a left knee disability and its secondary effects on other joints and sleep condition, need further investigation. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle, right knee laxity, left knee laxity, right knee chronic strain, and left knee DJD disabilities have been evaluated as 20% for the right ankle disability, 10% each for right and left knee laxity, and 10% each for right and left knee chronic strain and DJD. The Board denied increased ratings for all of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including service connection for a heart disorder and an increased rating for his ankle disability. The AOJ must obtain private medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to assess both conditions.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right leg disability, effective from January 16, 2020.