Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the period from August 1, 2007 to May 25, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to his use of left knee and left ankle braces in 2015, finding that neither brace caused wear and tear on his clothing as required by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities as well as a low back disability due to outstanding VA and private treatment records and possible Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's representative advised that he did not receive the SSOC and provided an incorrect address.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and left ankle sprain due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran was not present at scheduled VA examinations, leading to a lack of adequate evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis and arthritis, prior to August 14, 2019, is granted a 30 percent rating. Ratings for right and left ankle tendonitis are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence, specifically a lack of range of motion testing in the right ankle examination. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right ankle disability prior to July 1, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being returned to the RO for further action.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands and ankles, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his service-connected left ankle ligament tear with osteochondral defect post-surgical repair is granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left ankle disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to an in-service injury and is more likely due to age-related degenerative changes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development due to incomplete or conflicting medical evidence. The issues of increased ratings for left ankle fracture residuals with DJD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and left knee instability are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cardiovascular disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disability, neurological disability (vertigo), bilateral hip and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and a rating for multilevel spondylosis and mild spinal stenosis. The remand requires additional examinations and medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his appeal for TDIU, including on an extraschedular basis, is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities are related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle injuries due to further development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and right ankle disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's chronic left ankle sprain and left knee strain have been granted ratings, with the left ankle receiving a 20% rating and the left knee receiving a 10% rating for instability. The issues of higher ratings for these conditions remain pending.