Ankle decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for left knee disability, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected right ankle and/or right hip disabilities.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination for the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease, sprain, and weakness due to incomplete testing in previous examinations. The TDIU issue is remanded as it depends on the rating assigned for the service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of arthritis of the left knee and left ankle as secondary to service-connected right total knee arthroplasty due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's complaints in service and the relationship between his current conditions and his service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability and left ankle disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to August 27, 2018 was also denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis. Other conditions and issues remained denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render them unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the complexity of determining if it meets the percentage standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's daughter, D.L., is being considered for recognition as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support before the age of 18. The claims for service connection and reopening are inextricably intertwined with this matter. Additional records from Nemours Health and private primary care physician need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, low back, right ankle, and bilateral foot disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to March 13, 2020 and at 70% from that date. Service connection for low back and bilateral ankle disabilities has been granted.,A remand was ordered for the claim regarding a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his combined rating and lack of total disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his knee disabilities, OSA, GERD, back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraine headaches, and residuals of head injury due to incomplete records and the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfills its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating her appeal, particularly regarding the nature and etiology of any right ankle disability identified during the pendency of her appeal. The AOJ must obtain all updated records from the Veteran's participation in VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) program and transfer the file to an appropriate VA clinician for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are not related to service, or secondary to his service-connected back disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities may be due to a pre-existing condition prior to service, which requires an addendum opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle and bilateral knee conditions have worsened, and his hip and thumb disabilities are being evaluated further to determine their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder conditions as well as a low back condition due to insufficient evidence on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran must be provided with another VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.