Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right ankle disorder are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while limiting his employment opportunities, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are less than total in severity and he has other employable skills.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability was denied. He was initially granted a 10 percent rating from May 8, 2017 to December 21, 2018 and then denied any further increase in rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the periods from May 31, 2011, to January 29, 2014, and from March 2, 2015 forward due to insufficient evidence showing he is incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed left ankle disability had its onset during, or otherwise related to, the Veteran's active duty service. The right ankle disability is denied as not incurred in service and not caused by a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, right knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to lack of credible evidence linking the conditions to active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including bilateral eye condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, lumbosacral spine condition, cervical spine condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The VA is required to provide additional examinations or opinions that address the lay evidence of record and provide rationale for any conclusions reached.

The Veteran's chronic migraines and hypertension were granted service connection. The left ankle disability was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left ankle condition was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, but his claims for increased ratings of other conditions have been dismissed. The Board found that the right elbow and right ankle conditions were not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine disorders, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right ankle disorder were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to additional delay and need for an addendum opinion regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle fusion and sprain were denied as the current disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 26, 2018, and 40 percent beginning on March 1, 2020.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current right ankle disability is not related to active service, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum to the VA examination report.

A rating higher than 60 percent for gout of the bilateral great toes prior to September 19, 2016 is denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the bilateral great toes is granted.,A 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis and residuals of a fracture of the lateral malleolus of the right ankle (right ankle arthritis) as of July 14, 2017, but no earlier, is granted.,A separate 20 percent rating for gout of the right ankle is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right ankle arthritis and hernia disability claims are remanded for further development.