Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran was previously able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2010. From June 1, 2010, to August 12, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.,From August 13, 2018, the TDIU rating is moot as she has a combined 100% schedular disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected left shoulder strain, right knee sprain, and left ankle sprain are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The VA examinations did not include estimates of the functional impact of flare-ups.

The Veteran's right ankle and left hip disabilities are rated at 30% combined, with the right ankle disability rated at 20%. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the right ankle disability is denied. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are currently under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chest pain, nerve twitching, stomach cramps, and left ankle disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for these conditions.,Service connection has also been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression) secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding no current disability and concluding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service injury and any present condition.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities caused by residuals of stress fractures are granted at a 20% rating from January 31, 2006 to December 18, 2018. A higher rating is denied throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss.,Service connection for hypertension, a right ankle disorder, and residuals of hernia is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle disability, left knee disability, and chronic back disability due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's service connection claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of any left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and TDIU prior to June 4, 2015. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include bilateral pes planus, glaucoma, GERD, right ankle sprain, scar, cervical spine strain degenerative disc, bilateral shin splints, asthma, and tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation of a right ankle disability and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions addressing functional limitations during flare-ups and after repetitive use. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional VA treatment records, schedule the Veteran for another VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to failure to attend VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for calcaneal spurring of the right foot, avascular necrosis of the left hip, and avascular necrosis of the right hip as secondary to service-connected right ankle disability.,Service connection was also denied for arthritis of the right hip due to a right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service or any other theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor, affecting 20 to 40 percent of exposed body area, is granted a 30 percent initial rating from August 1, 2012. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, back, hip, and knee conditions due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left foot degenerative arthritis, left hand degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis (bilateral), right knee degenerative arthritis (bilateral), left wrist degenerative arthritis, and right wrist degenerative arthritis are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.