Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple body parts, including wrists, hips, elbows, ankles, and shoulders, as secondary to his service-connected psoriasis. The decision is based on a lack of competent diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various joint disorders, including those allegedly due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of actual or presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle synovitis, right ankle synovitis, and bilateral foot arthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps and her current diagnoses of synovitis and arthritis.

The Veteran's right ankle condition, which includes a fracture and strain, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found no evidence of malunion, ankylosis, or astragalectomy to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for left knee strain and left ankle disability, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has remanded this case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a new medical examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for edema of her left ankle, calf, and foot is pending.

The Board has denied service connection for back, right hip, right knee, and right ankle disabilities as well as a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations, outstanding VA treatment records, and potential new evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle and left knee disabilities, finding that they are at least as likely as not related to military service. The appeals were successful in both cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 24, 2014, through July 19, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress has made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's right ankle disability was found to have worsened since his October 2016 VA examination, and a rating of 20 percent was granted effective December 14, 2019. The claim for an increased rating prior to this date is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, leg cramps, and shin splints as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability either began during or was caused by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's request for clothing allowances based on the use of knee braces is denied because the braces are not used to treat a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to military service, including playing basketball and football during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning regarding service connection for a left knee condition. The Veteran's current left knee conditions are being requested to be evaluated again, with consideration of both primary and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.