Ankle decisions — 2021

The reduction of the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to zero percent disabling, effective May 18, 2010, was proper. The appeal is denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to January 6, 2021, is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions have significant impact on his ability to maintain employment and the evidence shows that he worked as a driver. The TDIU appeal for after January 6, 2021, is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and sciatica of bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or a service-connected condition. The Board also denied increased ratings for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish that his current lumbar spine disability or sciatica were caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for left hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of left ankle and left knee disorders and service connection for a lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by Achilles tendonitis, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

Service connection for thoracic syringomyelia is granted. Service connection for bilateral ankle condition and erectile dysfunction (secondary to back condition) are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of her lay statements regarding her symptoms.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, when considered on use and during flare-ups, is productive of marked limitation of motion. The Board has granted an initial 20 percent schedular rating for the right ankle disability under the old criteria prior to February 7, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for SMC-AA was filed on September 11, 2006. The Board granted an effective date of September 11, 2006, but no earlier, for the award of SMC-AA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, neck, left ankle, right ankle, and OSA disabilities due to incomplete examination opinions and lack of associated third-party statements.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, left knee, and bilateral hip disorders as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the medical opinions were against a nexus to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded her claim for a higher rating for her service-connected right knee patella fracture.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty and OCS from June 1991 to March 1992. The VA is required to verify these dates and provide an addendum medical opinion on whether her claimed conditions are related to service, including aggravation during OCS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The issues include PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, lumbar spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity disabilities, including right hip, left hip, right ankle, left ankle, and right foot disabilities, as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis, with instability due to partial thickness posterior talofibular tear, is restored to a 20 percent rating effective July 13, 2019. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to December 9, 2015 remains pending.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extra-schedular basis prior to January 27, 2011 as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current diagnoses for hemorrhoids, left lower extremity radiculopathy/numbness, right ankle disability, or sinusitis. The Veteran's service records do not show any such conditions during his active duty.,For the right knee and left knee disabilities, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions at any point during the appeal period.