Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to failure to provide adequate notice and scheduling of examinations. The Veteran is required to cooperate in providing missing records and attend scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether any current left ankle disability is related to service or caused by, or aggravated by, the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that his current back condition was related to his military service, or that he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability as of February 20, 2018. Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated at 10%. The decision is based on marked limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right ankle disorder, finding that the evidence is evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service. The Veteran's reports about her history of pain are credible, and there is no conflicting medical opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disorder, a right ankle disorder, and a low back disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions as being related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence to support his assertions or that his conditions are related to service. The Veteran was granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of ankylosis and thus not meeting the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions from a previous VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding SSA records and the need for a VA examination regarding her generalized joint pain disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for updated employment and educational history.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, right hand residual injury, arthritis (to include gouty arthritis), right shoulder condition, right hand laceration scar, left and right ankle conditions, bowel condition, and hemorrhoids due to new evidence indicating they may be related to service. The Veteran's PTSD claim has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her TDIU claim and other service connection issues. The Board cannot proceed with the remaining claims until this information is obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. The appeals are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for right ear otitis media. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left ankle osteoarthritis was denied, as the current 10% rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on limited motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and a respiratory/lung disorder is granted. The claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is referred to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeals for various service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination for PTSD. The TDIU appeal is also being remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of left and right ankles is granted as service-connected due to in-service injury.