Ankle decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The issues on appeal were about increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain disability has worsened requiring multiple surgeries, resulting in leg shortening and left foot drop. The case is remanded for an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of the condition and its impact on neurological complications.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea with bronchial asthma and unspecified depressive disorder, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture with degenerative arthritis, finding that the disability picture is adequately contemplated by the rating schedule.

The Veteran's initial and higher evaluations for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder are granted, but the claims for other conditions remain pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist sprain, cervical spine disability, and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability is granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including chondromalacia of the knees, hypothyroidism, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and sleep apnea. The issues have been withdrawn from the legacy appeal system in favor of a modernized review.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for right ankle conditions and individual unemployability prior to May 16, 2017.

The Veteran's right leg BKA and right knee disability are currently rated, but the appeal is remanded for further development.,Left ankle degenerative changes with sprains have been assigned a 10% rating, but the effective date of this rating needs to be determined.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding her employment history. The AOJ needs to obtain a Social Security Administration earnings statement and any related records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions and a need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative joint disease. The claims for left and right knee disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner is needed to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for left foot, left ankle tendon strain, and right ankle tendon strain conditions as they were not incurred during or as a result of any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's right ankle disability is presumed to be related to his service-connected condition, but the relationship of his left foot and left ankle disabilities to this condition needs further clarification.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period, but a higher rating is denied.,For the right shoulder condition, a 20 percent initial rating was granted effective August 11, 2020. A higher rating is denied prior to that date and from August 11, 2020 onwards.,The Veteran's right knee condition does not warrant an increased evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease does not warrant a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle posttraumatic arthritis and several other conditions. The appeals for the right knee, left knee instability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were granted with specific ratings. A total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective September 17, 2016.