Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left hip disability, bilateral knee degenerative changes, left ankle osteoarthritis, and right foot disabilities are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right ankle and right lower extremity neuropathy disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for her right foot disability, which may be impacted by her neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to inadequate examinations and because of the possibility that the Veteran's ankle disability may affect his ability to work, which is relevant to the TDIU claim. The issues include a higher rating for an ankle fracture and scars, as well as a TDIU determination.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted a temporary 10% rating for conjunctivitis since February 3, 2015. The right and left ankle disabilities are remanded.,Service connection is not established for the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle disability due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since July 21, 2017. Service connection for HPV and sleep apnea are granted. The remaining issues (neck disability, low back disability, seizures of the left/right side of the body, right ankle disability, migraine headaches, and tremors) remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unemployable at any point during the appeal period.

Your appeals for depression and a left ankle disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and treatment records, as well as clarification of the need for additional diagnostic testing. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. Service connection was granted for acid reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for a low back disorder remains denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder unspecified depression, which causes him to be likely precluded from substantial and gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are not related to service, including herbicide exposure or an in-service lightning strike. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.,The Veteran's GERD is also not related to service, specifically his presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for this condition is remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as the evidence is insufficient to determine his employment history and educational background.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Board finds that there may be pathology beyond what is contemplated by the schedular criteria and which may interfere with his employment opportunities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to deficiencies in a previous VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's knee/leg and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left ankle injury and its relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current left ankle disability, which he claims was incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various hip and knee conditions, as well as a back strain. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain and loss of use of her left foot are restored. The Veteran's request for increased rating is denied, and service connection for left leg blood clots, right leg blood clots, and right foot Charcot is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle and back disabilities, but dismissed the claim of service connection for arthritis. The Veteran's right leg pain is not considered a separate disability from his already service-connected right knee disorders.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.