Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU prior to June 23, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable, and the Board granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric condition and for increased disability ratings for his right knee, instability of the right knee, and left ankle conditions. The decision also remanded the issues regarding the Veteran's right knee and left ankle conditions for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination records, but the preponderance of evidence is against granting higher ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine, knee, and ankle conditions.

The Veteran's right and left ankle conditions, including pain, medical treatment, corresponding functional impairment and flare-ups, are rated at 20 percent. Service connection for pes planus is granted. The Veteran's claims for big toe joint pain and swelling on feet, PTSD, and left wrist condition are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further examination and review of records, particularly regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella and right ankle closed fracture with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or impairment, as there was no objective evidence of limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left ankle fracture was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU prior to May 16, 2019 due to his service-connected major depressive disorder and other disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left and right ankle, leg, or shoulder disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, effective February 6, 2013. The Board denied an increased rating for the right ankle disability and also denied entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ankle and heart disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU is granted. Service connection for urticaria was established based on new evidence. Other issues related to ADHD, OCD, TMJ, left ankle disability, costochondritis, and gastrointestinal condition are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral wrist/arm disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim regarding bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of higher disability ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral ankle sprain, as well as the TDIU claim due to inconsistencies in the VA examinations conducted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders due to inadequate development in prior examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence of diabetes mellitus and its effects on peripheral neuropathy in various extremities, as well as skin conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses need to be evaluated for their relation to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service. The Veteran's COPD is also being reviewed as his use of tobacco products may be related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available.,Left wrist osteoarthritis has been granted service connection.