Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities have been denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 5, 2020 has also been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from January 21, 2016. The left ankle and left wrist disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle calcaneal spur with degenerative arthritis was granted, and he is now receiving a 30 percent disability rating effective December 23, 2020.,A separate compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the painful right ankle scar was also granted effective December 23, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown during active service or within one year of separation. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and left ankle scar, caused him to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 3, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral leg disability, left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), asthma, ulcers, and right ankle disability due to lack of current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities are related to service, but his low back disability and headache disability have not been established as being related to service. The claims for these conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected residuals of osteomyelitis of the left ankle, specifically whether it resulted in limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle, right ankle, left shoulder, and right hand disabilities as the evidence did not show they were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left leg/knee injury as there is no evidence showing the condition had onset in or was related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of left ankle and right wrist injuries were denied by the Board. The left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, while the right wrist injury is also rated at 10 percent.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of various ankle, hip, knee, and foot conditions due to insufficient rationale provided in the VA examiner's opinions. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not result in marked limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle or right heel disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to parachute jumps during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of the bilateral knees and right ankle are being remanded due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives regarding the period prior to December 2018 in regard to the Veteran’s functional limitations during periods of flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but his case is referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration as to whether he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip disabilities, left ankle arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and headaches. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 1, 2015 and granted a staged increase to 20 percent from that date.