Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his functional impairment associated with his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, pseudoseizures, obstructive sleep apnea, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his mobility issues are compensated by the assigned ratings for his disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle arthritis, finding that his current disability is at least as likely as not related to an injury he sustained during a parachute jump in 1956.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right shoulder, ankle, and knee disabilities due to insufficient examination in August 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain and right hip strain. The claim for service connection of the left ankle sprain is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ankle, left index finger, left ankle, and left knee disabilities. The appeal for increased ratings of the right knee disability was also dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder injury and a right ankle sprain, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service, and that any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.

For the initial rating period from April 1, 2011 to November 26, 2019, a higher initial rating of 10 percent for PFB with alopecia is granted.,For the initial rating period after November 26, 2019, a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PFB with alopecia is denied.,A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the left hand scar is denied.,An initial non-compensable (0%) disability rating for the healed fracture of the navicular bone in the left foot (left ankle disability) remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a chronic right ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder is being REMANDED due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral or cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, and right ankle disorder due to secondary service-connected right knee disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential missing VA treatment records and other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions. The VA is required to obtain an opinion on whether obesity or overweightness caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals before the Board, effectively dismissing both claims for service connection for glaucoma and right ankle foot osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right ankle disability, as the last examination was conducted over three and a half years ago. Updated VA treatment records are also needed.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and personality disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.,The appeals for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia and right hand minimal motor and mild sensory loss have also been dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The Raynaud's phenomena claim is remanded as additional development is needed to determine if it is related to a service-connected condition.