Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her left ankle and knee disabilities, as well as service connection for DM-II and bilateral hip osteoarthritis, were denied. The effective date of the increased ratings is set to January 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional STRs, a formal finding of unavailability, and an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, the lowest available rating. The Board found that there was no evidence of marked limitation of motion to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected ankle disability is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, left ankle sprain and fracture residuals, and left ankle scar, are found to be sufficient to prevent the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, right ankle, and right shoulder disabilities due to concerns about the adequacy of previous medical opinions and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized as limitation of motion due to post-traumatic arthritis, is denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent from January 21, 2003. A rating of 30 percent but no more is granted since January 7, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her left ankle condition and service connection for migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring the Veteran to be afforded a VA examination regarding her claimed right ankle disability.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) was granted. The decision found that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitated selection of self-employment as the only reasonably feasible vocational goal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was granted for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issue of service connection for a left ankle disorder will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's treatment at Halifax Hospital on June 3, 2014 was not for an emergency condition and VA facilities were feasibly available. Therefore, the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various foot, ankle, spine, and shoulder conditions have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service or caused by other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has found that additional evidence was added to the claims file since the April 2016 SOC and requires remand for further action, including obtaining any outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for Brick Hospital, Ocean Medical Center, and Dr. Chulie.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to and since August 26, 2011 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of performing daily activities or require regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance is denied.