Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's sciatica of the left leg is rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a left ankle disability, and a right leg disability (including right knee and right hip) are remanded due to incomplete information in the Veteran's service records.,The Veteran's left ankle disability and right leg disability (including right knee and right hip) remain unresolved as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to bilateral hearing loss at any time during the course of the appeal or approximate thereto, and thus cannot establish an essential element of the service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right shoulder conditions, as secondary to his service-connected left ankle and left shoulder disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral ankle fractures prior to January 30, 2017 were denied. From January 30, 2017, a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle and a 20 percent rating for the left ankle was granted.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension has been newly granted. The claims for increased ratings of right ankle strain and left knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle and foot disabilities, as well as her bilateral hearing loss disability, are related to service. However, due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service, a remand is necessary for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities in the knees, shoulders, or BTM, nor any nexus to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee condition.,Service connection for COPD and asthma is granted, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ankle disability are granted service connection. Service connection for a bilateral knee disability is denied, but the Veteran's back disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain but denied service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury, back disability, bilateral ankle disability, vertigo (claimed as dizziness), and respiratory condition are all denied.,There is no current evidence of a TBI or any other claimed disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment outside of a protected work environment, thus qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, bladder disorder (including yeast infection), left ankle strain, and sinus disorder due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis of bilateral upper extremities, and osteoarthritis of bilateral lower extremities. The claims are therefore reopened. Further evaluation is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, right hip osteoarthritis, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, tinnitus, and gastritis and GERD. The evidence supports the claims based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right ankle disability and an earlier effective date for the TDIU award is dismissed. The Board found that no valid claim was filed within one year prior to February 20, 2020 regarding the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a heart disability and increased ratings for various knee conditions. The Veteran's claim for headaches was denied, and the right heel calcaneal spur issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to TDIU, and referred it for extraschedular consideration as to entitlement to TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left ankle condition, which is secondary to his service-connected disability, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.