Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial increased ratings for his low back and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, left foot numbness and tingling (left foot disability), right foot numbness and tingling (right foot disability), and gastrointestinal disorder, to include GERD. The issues are related to whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right ankle strain is granted from February 2, 2013 through October 21, 2014 and beginning December 1, 2020. The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for left knee strain and an initial rating greater than 30 percent for IBS are denied. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his hip, knee, ankle, and finger disabilities due to inadequate examinations and opinions provided in August 2021. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment. Additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed to determine the impact of her service-connected conditions on her employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left elbow disorder and right ankle disorder are related to his service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of proper examination and consideration of relevant evidence, including pre-service and post-service medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent for marked limitation of motion. The Board finds that a separate compensable rating for left ankle neurological impairment and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right ankle disorder and a right foot disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the right ankle claim and concluding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathies, have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no final decision could be made on the merits of his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims, and a new examination is needed to determine if any left ankle disability is related to military service.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with its February 2020 remand directives and the claims for service connection are again being remanded due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's service periods, inadequate VA examinations, and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected right fibula and ankle disability has caused significant functional impairment, preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 21, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to April 18, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show that her hemorrhoids met the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists were remanded due to incomplete records. The claim for residuals of a right ankle fracture was also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 11, 2021 was remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include ratings for various disabilities related to TBI, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left thumb sprain, right thumb disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, eye disability, ulnar nerve paresthesias, ankle and wrist disabilities, nausea, constipation, and other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is more likely age-related and not related to his military service.,For the right ankle disability, the Board denied service connection, stating that there were no complaints or findings of an ankle issue during active service or shortly after discharge. The x-ray showed a minor osteochondral lesion suggestive of tendonitis but did not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, bruised ribs and right kidney disorder, pain in eyes to include seeing floaters, tinnitus, poor blood circulation (hands & feet blotchy), migraine headaches, and bilateral hand tremors are all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine, headaches (as secondary to a cervical spine condition), lumbar spine, and right ankle conditions have been granted service connection. The left ankle condition has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.