Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder, right knee, and left ankle disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to left foot, ankle, knee, and back disabilities are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is not required to have an underlying diagnosis of arthritis or other specific condition; pain alone can constitute a disability under VA law if it results in functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability and a left ankle disability have been granted. The left foot disability is considered to be directly related to his military service, while the left ankle disability is found to be secondary to the left foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is precluded from obtaining or maintaining any gainful occupation due solely to these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, right ankle injury, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various ankle and foot disorders, as well as a right knee disorder due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his claims. The issues include seeking increased evaluations for service-connected left knee, left ankle, right shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities, as well as seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection remain in remand status and require further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete documentation and authorization requests. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for treatment records from Dr. CEMQ.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 26, 2017, for service connection of right ankle degenerative arthritis and tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are REMANDED due to lack of VA treatment records from 1995 to 2010. The claims for back disability and right knee disability are also REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU effective November 2, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back, left ankle, right wrist and throat disabilities due to insufficient examination opinions regarding their etiology. The VA examiners are instructed to provide a clear opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and heart disability due to inadequate development, including the need for VA examinations and additional private treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected right ankle, left shoulder, and left radial nerve disabilities. The issues of increased evaluations for these conditions have been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability other than right hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, right foot arthritis, right thigh shrapnel injury, and right thigh scars due to a shrapnel injury. The claim for PVD of the left leg is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and providing a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for neck disability and bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, and umbilical hernia disabilities due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claims for shin splints, leg pain, and ankle swelling.