Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted an increased rating to 30 percent, but no higher, prior to March 13, 2020. From March 13, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of a physician examination. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include right knee, left ankle, right ankle, acid reflux (ulcer), and low back disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure proper notification of their unavailability. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 20 percent rating for her service-connected right ankle sprain, finding that her current symptoms do not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the right hand has been granted. The claims for service connection related to cyst of the mouth, left ankle disability, right lateral epicondylitis and right wrist sprain are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues include chronic fatigue, a chronic joint condition (manifested by knee and ankle pain), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient examination findings and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle fracture, status/post total ankle replacement and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) have been denied as the medical evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right leg peripheral vascular disease resulted in claudication on walking less than 25 yards and an ankle/brachial index of 0.62, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to December 19, 2019, the Veteran had mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic and femoral nerves in both legs; as of that date, he had moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted service connection for joint hypermobility syndrome, right shoulder disorder, right scapular dysfunction, left knee meniscus tear, and right ankle disorder, all secondary to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral ankle condition due to lack of VA examination, and because there is evidence suggesting worsening of his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle degenerative arthritis, major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, and a back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,A separate claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia has also been remanded.

The Veteran requested a personal hearing and informal conference regarding his service connection claims. The Board has not scheduled these hearings, so the case is being remanded to do so.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, finding that there was no current disability and no in-service injury or disease related to his ankles.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was part and parcel of his underlying claim of entitlement to increased ratings for his shoulder condition. The Board denied the TDIU as it appears that the Veteran was gainfully employed, although there is incomplete information regarding the precise dates of employment and whether such was gainful.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and right ankle strain due to inadequate development in previous examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left shoulder DJD and left ankle fracture are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in the past.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was denied. The right ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, with no evidence of marked interference with employment or exceptional circumstances warranting extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various lower limb conditions due to inadequate medical opinions and further examination is required.