Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 25, 2019.

The Veteran's arthritic spurring lumbar spine is currently rated as 40 percent disabling prior to January 17, 2019 and a temporary total evaluation was in effect from June 25, 2018 to October 10, 2018. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's urinary incontinence is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to August 2, 2012 and a 40 percent rating is sought from that date forward. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's urinary incontinence is currently rated as 40 percent disabling from August 2, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's left ankle fracture is currently rated as 30 percent disabling from April 6, 1998 to August 2, 2012 and a higher rating is sought from that date forward. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's residuals of ankle fracture with ORIF fusion and traumatic arthritis are currently rated as 40 percent disabling from August 2, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's skin rash of unknown etiology is currently rated as 30 percent disabling and a higher rating is sought. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's left wrist arthritis, status post-fracture, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from April 12, 2016 and a higher rating is sought. The appeal for higher ratings is granted.,The Veteran's pes cavus associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to August 2, 2012 and a higher rating is sought from that date forward. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's status/post hemorrhoidectomy with residuals hemorrhoids are currently rated as 10 percent disabling and a higher rating is sought. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations, with no evidence of compensable limitation of motion. The Board has determined that the currently assigned ratings are appropriate.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to withdraw his appeals for service connection of various disabilities, including skin condition, bilateral ankles, bilateral knees, neck, left ear hearing loss, low back pain, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a personality disorder). The claims for head injury with residual headaches have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee conditions due to a lack of VA treatment records. The Veteran's social security number was corrected but no attempts were made to obtain any missing VA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran's left foot disability is being remanded as there was insufficient consideration of his reported in-service injury and pain.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded due to inadequate consideration of his reported in-service injury and pain, as well as the lack of a thorough discussion of aggravation by service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded because the examiner did not address whether the current condition was aggravated by an in-service injury or if there was any connection to the Veteran’s symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's dermatological condition (actinic keratosis) is being remanded as the VA examiner did not consider a letter from his treating dermatologist regarding the potential causation of the condition during service.

The Veteran's minimal degenerative joint disease of the right ankle is granted a 10 percent rating effective February 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, left ankle disability, disabilities of the eye, and erectile dysfunction due to additional development being required.

A rating of 20 percent for right ankle disability is granted effective July 27, 2017. A TDIU prior to January 25, 2019 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his bilateral ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service. The Board noted that he did not have a fracture or injury in either ankle during service and that any symptoms were first reported many years after discharge.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right femoral nerve radiculopathy, and residuals of a right ankle fracture are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is characterized by marked limitation of motion and has been granted a schedular rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and depression. The Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred during his active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a sleep disability (insomnia) as there is no evidence of such a condition in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a bilateral leg disorder other than already service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disability, diagnosed as gout, due to issues with VA's duty to assist in obtaining his entire service treatment record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were granted, with effective dates of April 5, 2017.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, prior to February 12, 2020. A 40 percent rating is also assigned for the thoracolumbar spine beginning February 12, 2020. The Veteran’s left and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is rated at a disability rating of 20 percent, reflecting marked limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, right and left ankle sprain, plantar fascia fibromatosis of the feet, and groin muscle pain of the right leg. The decision is based on credible evidence that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding ratings for injuries to the left upper extremity and left ankle sprains due to the Veteran's death.