Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, along with other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU from February 7, 2013, through December 14, 2014, and SMC based on housebound status effective February 7, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was granted, as new evidence supports the reopening of his previously denied claim.,Service connection for ankle, foot, knee, hip and hand pain (claimed as muscular and movement pains) is granted due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if it warrants a higher rating.,Service connection for left lower peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure and secondary to service-connected right ankle condition is denied. The Veteran's bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy is not presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, but the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle condition.,Service connection for right lower peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure and secondary to service-connected right ankle condition is denied. The Veteran's bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy is not presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, but the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities involving his lower extremities are collectively rated as 50 percent disabling, which precludes him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his high school education and occupational history as a truck driver, auto mechanic, saw operator, and hospital orderly. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ankle strain warrants a 20% evaluation, but not higher. The case is being remanded for further development regarding his hypothyroidism.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ankle and right foot conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's in-service injury is considered, but further medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have onset during service and granted service connection. Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, left ankle sprain, left hip bursitis, and right hip impingement.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, trimalleolar fracture left ankle prior to February 13, 2019 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals, trimalleolar fracture left ankle from February 13, 2019 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's right and left ankle disorders, as well as his lumbar spine disorder for further development. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current right ankle disability, insufficient left ankle functional impairment to warrant a higher rating, and insufficient evidence of arthritis in the knees to grant an increased rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus type 2. The remaining issues, including increased ratings and TDIU, are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder. Service connection was denied for other conditions including right ankle, neck, balance, vascular, and restless leg syndromes.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, right wrist disorder, and left wrist disorder have been reopened.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability has been reopened.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbar spine disability has been reopened.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for left rib disability has been reopened.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension with heart disease and remanded other issues related to secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee DJD, left knee DJD, left knee instability, and right ankle disability as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left foot/ankle injuries, as well as right and left knee disabilities, and a low back disability are all granted.

The Veteran's disability evaluations for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left-shoulder disorder, right-wrist disorder, left-ankle disorder, and right-ankle disorder have been restored to their previous levels. No increased ratings are granted.

Service connection for bilateral hand tendonitis is granted. The Veteran's current disability began during active service.,The Veteran’s back condition, rated at 20%, has not met the criteria for a higher rating.