Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle capsulitis with osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and since his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for both the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to missing VA treatment records, a lack of a VA examination addressing only his service-connected disorders, and an inability to attend the scheduled hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings of right knee and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient information from previous VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include degenerative joint disease in both knees and one ankle.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hip conditions, and bilateral knee disorders, render him unemployable. The Board granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various disabilities, including a low back disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability, all secondary to residuals of stress fracture of the right third metatarsal. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right and left ankle disorders, higher initial ratings for right and left knee disabilities, and a higher initial rating for residuals of a right inguinal hernia due to incomplete or inadequate examination reports.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and proper notification of the Veteran regarding his right ankle disability and IBS. The issues will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 25, 2019.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for left ankle disability is granted. The appeal regarding right ankle disability is remanded.

An earlier effective date of July 27, 2012 is granted for the award of service connection for a left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain.,A rating higher than 10 percent for a right ankle sprain with residual legamentous instability and synovitis was denied prior to December 2019. However, from December 2019 onwards, a higher 20 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and allergic rhinitis are both being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities precluding substantially gainful employment.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a current disability in accordance with VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is rated at 20 percent from January 9, 2020 onwards. The rating was granted as the condition met the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of records and a need for an addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's right ankle condition is still considered service-connected under direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating and service connection due to new evidence and further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and left ankle disability, but has found that further development is needed due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right ankle disability, as he had moderate limitation of motion and no marked limitation. His knee disabilities also did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right ankle, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis of both knees, and instability of both knees have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for each condition.