Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 5, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claim for entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle arthralgia are each rated at 10 percent. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability that would warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle and left knee disabilities were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

Service connection for a right elbow disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for left ankle and right ankle disabilities are remanded.,Service connection for left foot bunions, corns and calluses, right foot bunions, corns and calluses, bilateral foot fungus and peeling, and left and right foot numbness are all remanded.,Service connection for headaches is remanded.,Service connection for Bell's palsy is remanded.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 10% and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's right ankle/foot tendon repair residual disability with DJD is rated at 10% and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's low back disability from May 21, 2013 to January 27, 2020 is rated at 20%, and from January 27, 2020 onwards is rated at 40%. Both ratings are denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's left foot DJD is rated at 10% from August 7, 2006 to June 12, 2015 and at 30% from June 12, 2015 onwards. Both ratings are denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability, specifically noting a lack of service treatment records and an incomplete review of VA medical records from May 1995 to August 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient consideration of certain evidence. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining relevant medical records and considering all submitted statements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (APD) and a right ankle condition are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergies, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are not service-connected. The heart disability and hypertension have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and verification of military service. The Veteran's hypertension and lumbar spine disorder are also being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right and left ankle strains are related to injuries incurred during his military service.,His hypertension is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left wrist, right wrist, and right elbow disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of his claims. The initial disability rating for anxiety disorder remains denied, but other issues are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his anxiety disorder and left ankle degenerative arthritis with history of sprain and instability, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right foot and/or ankle disability, left knee instability, and left knee degenerative joint disease due to potential issues with functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss and scar (right hand) status post laceration were denied.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine (back) disability, right elbow disability, and left ankle disability have been granted service connection. The initial rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent.