Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including fracture residuals and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20 percent since August 30, 2011. The rating is denied for higher ratings prior to February 15, 2017, and after that date.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating due to moderate limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left knee arthritis, as these issues were not adequately addressed in the previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for substance abuse, hypertension, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability must be remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, spine condition, and heart condition have been granted. The decision on the remanded issues of service connection for these conditions is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (depressive disorder) was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability was also reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability may be aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and erectile dysfunction disabilities, as well as his increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, left ankle degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, tender scars, inter-trochanteric fracture of the right hip, radiculopathy involving sciatic nerve on the left, and right knee strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his disabilities are sufficiently disabling to meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left ankle and foot disabilities, as well as varicose veins of the lower extremities, are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for a right ankle disability is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings of his right knee and upper respiratory disabilities, as well as service connection for lower extremity and kidney stones disabilities are all remanded.

The Veteran's residual scarring of the left head area due to basal cell skin cancer is granted as service-connected. However, his left ankle disability is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right ankle condition have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since February 15, 2018. A TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's right ankle pain is granted service connection as it is proximately due to his service-connected right toe disability. The left ankle disability issue remains pending and requires an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations and opinions. The issues include service connection for various knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral ankle disability, finding no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for a dermatological fungal disability of the bilateral foot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture with osteomyelitis on an extraschedular basis, finding that the available schedular evaluation adequately considered his symptoms and there was no exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to exposure in Southwest Asia, as they are not related to a specific exposure event or an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's symptoms have been evaluated but no clear diagnosis could be made.