Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right and left ankle disabilities, as well as the associated scars, have been denied. The VA has found that the current 10 percent ratings adequately reflect the functional impairment caused by arthritis in both ankles.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis was granted a rating of 20 percent, effective July 14, 2016.,TDIU remains pending and must be remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right fractured talus and ankle injury and low back disability, finding that the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for tinnitus was not granted, the rating for bilateral hearing loss was not granted in excess of 40 percent, and the rating for a left knee disability was not granted in excess of 30 percent. Service connection for gout of the left ankle, right ankle, and left toe was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for various joint disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and inadequate rationale in previous VA examinations. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his inability to demonstrate permanent and total disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and headaches secondary to hypertension, but denied service connection for other conditions due to lack of evidence or causal relationship.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 10, 2018. The claims for service connection of various conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for right ankle and hip disabilities. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for chronic left ankle strain, right knee patellar tendonitis, retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, and left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage as of May 24, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder of the bilateral ankles. The issues of service connection for left varicocele and headache disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to inconsistencies in VA examination reports and additional evidence submitted after the April 2020 rating decision.

All appeals for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Veteran has also withdrawn all appeals regarding effective date determinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral foot disability (diagnosed as trench foot). The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for left leg condition, peripheral vascular disease of the right leg, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle arthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right ankle degenerative joint disease and surgical scars prior to October 15, 2019, as well as his TBI with posttraumatic headaches, scalp scar, and photophobia, was dismissed. The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for his TBI.

The Board has ordered further development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected conditions on his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is not service-connected as it was a congenital defect with no additional disease or injury during service.