Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 1, 2014, to August 22, 2019. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and remanded the issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, right ankle degenerative joint disease, residuals of right tibia fracture, and residuals of left foot fracture.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left-ankle disorder, TBI, unspecified ear disorder, and sleep disorder. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flatfoot, hammer toes of the right foot, hammer toes of the left foot, and a left foot or ankle disability (other than flatfoot and hammer toes) due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disability for the left ankle, right ankle, lumbar spine, or hypothyroidism conditions. For allergic rhinitis, a compensable rating was not granted.

The Veteran's left ankle condition had its onset during service and is related to his military service, thus service connection for the condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and a back condition, both secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle sprains. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus.,Additional issues of left knee condition, right foot condition, and breathing condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis has been granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent, effective from February 2, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a total left knee replacement and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a total right knee replacement, both secondary to his service-connected left ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to new evidence added to the record, including a VA examination that may address whether his hearing loss is related to his service-connected TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his service-connected right ankle disability and any related right knee and hip disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative joint disease is related to an in-service injury. The claims for a left ankle disability and low back disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received, but the claims for right ankle disabilities are still pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss has been granted, effective August 14, 2018.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left ankle injury, finding that it was aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability. However, the Board denied service connection for the right knee disability as there is no evidence linking it to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the remaining claims on appeal are decided. The Veteran's first name and social security number used during active service are different from those he uses currently, and attempts should be made to secure his service treatment records using both names and social security numbers of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy.