Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, headaches, a left ankle condition, and an unspecified respiratory condition are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for the left ankle condition, unspecified respiratory condition (due to burn pit exposure or other environmental exposures), and low back condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various ankle, knee, and lumbar disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements and internet articles submitted by his representative.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow all forms of substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a right ankle, left ankle, right knee, or left knee disability that was incurred in service. The Board also found no evidence of hypertension manifesting within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic joint pain, except for his right knee and ankle issues. The decision also granted direct service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as chronic joint pain) and secondary service connection for right ankle and left knee pain due to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted a TDIU, but the case is remanded for further action on the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability. The examiner did not adequately discuss the Veteran's lay statements and concluded that his current condition may be related to post-service employment, which is considered speculative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis and right ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or aggravation by a pre-existing condition. The Board also found no continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder prior to January 17, 2016 is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle disorders.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, stomach condition, hypothyroidism, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle condition and varicose veins precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and any subsequent employment was marginal. Effective August 1, 2014, the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The claim for a higher evaluation than 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed.,The claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right elbow, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of examination. The claim for ear infection disability remains denied as new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, fracture left tibia and fibula, midshaft was dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck scars was dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot, left foot, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The heart disability issue is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD, vertigo, plantar fasciitis, TBI, left wrist, bilateral ankle, bilateral elbow, and bilateral hand disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for status post right ankle osteomyelitis with a right below the knee amputation, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for the left ankle condition before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, a low back disability, left thigh disability, right thigh disability, left lower leg disability, right lower leg disability, and left ankle disability, all claimed as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hallux valgus.,The Board also denied service connection for a right ankle disability, which was not explicitly addressed in the decision summary but is part of the issues listed.