Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a back disability due to the full benefit sought being granted in a previous rating decision. The TDIU claim was granted as the Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70% and he is unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further clarification is required prior to a decision on the merits of the Veteran's claims due to internal inconsistencies in previous opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of information regarding functional loss during flare-ups or repetitive use over time.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, finding that they are related to his service. The decision is based on direct evidence of a current disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was previously denied a higher rating, and the Board has now remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is also being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, finding that he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities before this date.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability, effective from November 4, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for right ankle disability is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination. The claim for migraine headache is denied as there was no established link between current headaches and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral ankle condition and its relationship to service, particularly his paratrooper duties. A new VA examination is needed to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's current ankle conditions are related to his service or secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea is granted, and his right ankle sprain disability rating is maintained at 10 percent. The Board also grants the Veteran a TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle osteoarthritis and lumbosacral strain have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance and/or due to being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

Effective September 8, 2011, a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. Effective November 21, 2014, special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound level is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions addressing his claimed lumbar spine, knee, ankle, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability, specifically her claim for service connection. The Veteran was injured during National Guard training in July 2004 and continues to experience symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle disorders, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to the ratings of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative lumbosacral disc disease with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, left ankle avulsion fracture, and scalp laceration scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as cervical spine disorder, have been denied. The Board found no current disability associated with the ankles or cervical spine, either by diagnosis or functional impairment. There are also no objective indications of chronic undiagnosed disability associated with these conditions that manifested during service or to a degree of 10 percent or more following service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and upper extremity radiculopathy claims due to the need for retrospective medical opinions. The remaining issues are remanded for readjudication.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected stress reactions of the feet and ankles. The effective dates for other claims are remanded.