Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing the Veteran's lay statements and in-service ankle sprain with residual swelling and pain.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various joints and pain conditions, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if any of these conditions are service-connected.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, including entitlement to increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 1, 2013. The examination of his knees is also required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral flat feet, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left knee disability due to potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service. Additional evidence is needed and an expert opinion is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee and ankle conditions are related to service, as well as whether any existing low back condition is related to service. The examiner will also address whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar strain, cervical spine arthritis, anxiety, and left ankle disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, skin disorder, and tuberculosis (TB) were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (PN RUE), left upper extremity (PN LUE), and bilateral lower extremities (PN BLE) were manifested with moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, sciatic nerve, respectively.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right ankle disability and his service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shin splints, right and left foot disabilities, and right and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence of current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reports of left ankle, left knee and right knee symptoms during service are credible. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations to address the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left foot hallux valgus, right and left ankle conditions due to secondary service connection. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to his service or service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right ankle disability and service connection for a bilateral hip disability, finding that additional development is needed to fully evaluate these issues.

Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, currently manifested by paranoid schizophrenia with secondary alcohol dependence, is granted.,The claims of service connection for both eyes (vision problems) (now claimed as eye condition), right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are remanded due to the need for further evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for obesity, sleep apnea, chronic heart failure, hypertension, and a scar on the upper left side of chest due to their potential secondary nature to service-connected disabilities. The right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and related neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain residuals and arthritis, as well as his claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from March 30, 2010 to November 21, 2011. An effective date of March 30, 2010 is granted.