Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted a disability rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The right ankle sprain and gastrointestinal disability (Barret’s Esophagus, stomach indigestion, and GERD) have been granted service connection. Service connection for sleep apnea has also been granted.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities are granted as service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral ankle condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has reinstated service connection for PTSD and granted entitlement to a TDIU based on the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his job as a truck driver.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's residuals of left ankle fracture as of July 24, 2020. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's right and left elbow conditions were not rated higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's right and left knee conditions were not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to outstanding private and VA treatment records, incomplete employment information, and the need for examinations regarding his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and upper extremity neuropathies.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, stroke disability, and service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability, migraine headaches disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The remaining issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability (numbness and swelling in the ankles and feet), service connection for migraine headaches disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and requires new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of a fully-informed decision on secondary service connection, specifically aggravation. A supplemental clarifying opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot, right ankle, and left leg disabilities due to incomplete records and need for a new medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, which is believed to have started during his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 40 percent for the period prior to November 18, 2014. For the period starting November 18, 2014, his disability remains rated at 40 percent on a schedular basis. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and marginality.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the lumbar spine or current neurological impairments other than service-connected sciatica, and thus no higher rating was warranted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for his right ankle disability and service connection for his right hip disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating, and there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for the right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbar strain, bilateral knees, and ankles, as well as her effective date claims. Additional development is needed due to new VA examinations conducted in September 2020.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, requesting to be rated '100% P&T'. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inadequate VA medical opinions addressing the cumulative effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. A new opinion is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current back condition and his military service. The right ankle condition issue was remanded due to lack of medical records in the record.