Ankle decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent, the right hand fracture at noncompensable, shin splints at not granted, and head injury residuals at not granted.,The VA examinations scheduled in December 2022 were not attended by the Veteran without good cause.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for her psychiatric disability and ankle disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle and knee conditions, sinusitis, IBS, gastritis, and GERD due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various conditions, including left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm condition, episodes of visual loss (floaters), arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, headaches, and nerve damage is granted. The AOJ should arrange for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940 and scheduling a VA examination.

The appeal of the reduction for a right ankle disability rating and entitlement to an increased disability rating is remanded due to incomplete VA examination results.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disability, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and wrist disabilities has been granted.,Service connection is denied for a left wrist disability.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, effective December 30, 2014, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 14, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to changes in his symptoms and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to PTSD, is granted. The remaining issues are remanded due to the complexity of the medical issue.

The appeals for service connection for the listed disabilities are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for various knee, hip, ankle, back, neck, and elbow disabilities. A 10 percent disability rating is also granted for headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate, right and left knee disabilities for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include major depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, total knee replacements on both knees, gout in multiple joints, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of medical opinions regarding functional impairment and etiology. The case is also remanded for a VA aid and attendance examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no prior communication of record indicating an intent to claim these conditions.,No effective dates earlier than the assigned ones are granted due to lack of prior claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right ankle disorder and a lumbar spine disorder due to further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.