Ankle decisions — 2022

The appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a left ankle disability, increased ratings for various disabilities, and effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, right and left ankle disorders (manifested by pain), and dismissed the appeals for compensable ratings for acne and left hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee degenerative arthritis, right shoulder condition, lumbosacral strain (claimed as back injury), sinusitis, and left ankle condition have all been dismissed. The claim of service connection for sinusitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional VA examination reports and treatment records, as well as consideration of a claim for Total Disability Rating Due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a recurrent right hip disability due to insufficient examination and lack of rationale regarding the relationship between her current hip condition and her active service or any pre-existing conditions.

The appeal for service connection for low back pain is dismissed. The appeals for left ankle disability and psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional medical records from Dr. E.N., and he will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his current diagnoses.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with the January 2022 remand as to the matter of service connection for disabilities secondary to residuals of right ankle strain. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not clear enough and needs more information. They need to get his Social Security Administration records, which may help them understand why he received disability benefits.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left little finger degenerative joint disease, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, and bilateral ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment for the period from December 26, 2007, to January 4, 2010. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder, left hip disorder, left thigh disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and chronic UTIs as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected right ankle tendonitis with arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show more nearly approximate a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IVDS, left ankle cyst, and TBI were all granted. However, the claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity was denied, as was the claim for degenerative arthritis of the back.,A remand has been ordered for a cervical radiculopathy claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including effective dates and ratings for shoulder and ankle conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of right and left ankle sprains, gout, and arthritis other than right and left knee arthritis have been granted.,However, the claim for service connection for arthritis other than right and left knee arthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, CTS of the bilateral upper extremities, and reopened the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, loss of circulation in the bilateral arms, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability, and neck disability due to lack of diagnosis and need for further examination.