Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has therefore ordered the claims for service connection for various conditions to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and other conditions, are found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as a truck driver. As such, the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability. The Veteran contends that her current condition is related to a service-connected injury in October 1984, but the VA examiner did not consider her lay statements about continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right hip, left hip, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and the case is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

Service connection has been granted for left elbow, shoulder, and knee disorders.,The Veteran's migraines have also been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right medial epicondylitis, painful elbow motion, left elbow medial epicondylitis (painful elbow and forearm motions), left knee strain, and thoracolumbar strain are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left ankle disorder, bilateral shin splints, a left hip disorder, and an upper back disorder. The VA will obtain any outstanding records and provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations to address her contentions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD due to military sexual trauma and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are remanded as the VA examinations did not consider his in-service misconduct.,The Veteran's claim for TBI residuals is remanded as there was no determination of whether he had an in-service TBI, and tinnitus, headaches, and fatigue may be related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder are remanded as the VA examinations did not consider his reported in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various skin disorders, ankle disabilities, gastrointestinal conditions, headaches, and loss of use of the penis. The issues include new diagnoses and secondary service connection claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle condition. The claim for bilateral pes planus is remanded.,Service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle condition are granted on a secondary basis due to pre-existing conditions aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, including pes planus; left ankle disability; and right ankle disability due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated release forms for private treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations. Additionally, a medical opinion is required regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding the etiology of her gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, depressive disorder with anxious distress, sleep apnea and headaches have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining issues on appeal. Tinnitus is found to be related to active service, while no current disability or relationship to service is established for the other conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of entitlement to a temporary total disability rating for convalescence from right ankle surgery, an increased disability rating for right ankle disability, and TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability will be further evaluated in light of new evidence.