Ankle decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a 20% rating from January 20, 2021. The previous claim for an increased rating prior to that date was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment after April 2014 was not substantially gainful and he did not have physical or mental limitations preventing him from obtaining or engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to April 2014.

The Veteran's left foot disorder is not secondary to his service-connected left ankle disorder, and there is no other evidence linking the condition to his active duty.,There is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether the Veteran's current left ankle disorder was aggravated by post-service occupational duties or an intercurrent event.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left ankle condition due to inadequate opinions from previous examiners. The case is returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development and clarification of the evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from August 3, 2021. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions. From August 3, 2021 onwards, he has been granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee, hip, right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities due to service-connected conditions. The Veteran's attorney will need to provide updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits claim records. An addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's altered gait may have proximately caused or contributed to his knee, hip, right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle injury, rash, and hair loss have been granted.,Service connection was denied for hearing loss and dental condition (loss of teeth and gums).

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective May 22, 2013. The maximum schedular rating of 50% was assigned for bilateral pes planus with left foot osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right ankle ligament strain is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient rationale in the previous medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and left lower leg/ankle laceration due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being reviewed, along with his in-service diagnosis of acute anxiety reaction.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU. The Veteran's statements about his in-service injury will be considered, along with any early degeneration or arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disorder. The examiner was not asked to consider the Veteran's report of injury during service and his continued symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's old, healed talus fracture (claimed as right ankle) is granted a disability rating of 20 percent. The issues regarding vision and elbow disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred during active service and denied his claim. The Board also found remand necessary for additional examinations to assess the severity of his knee and ankle conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shin splints, right ankle sprain, and a bilateral wrist condition. The Veteran's conditions are found to have begun during his military service.,Service connection is granted based on direct evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and verifying alleged exposure to chemicals. The Veteran's conditions include gastroesophageal disorder (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, low back disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, and residuals of a head injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of his knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hernia disability, abdominal scar, fibromyalgia, acquired psychiatric disability (pending), left shoulder disability (pending), right shoulder disability (pending), left arm disability (pending), right arm disability (pending), left elbow disability (pending), right elbow disability (pending), disability of the small finger, left hand (pending), cervical spine disability (pending), left ankle disability (pending), right ankle disability (pending), left foot skin disability (pending), and right foot skin disability (pending) were not granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disability (pending), bilateral eye disability (pending), disability of the left eye cornea (pending), bilateral hearing loss disability (pending), tinnitus (pending), vertigo (pending), headaches (pending), and sleep apnea (pending) are pending.