Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to vacate the August 2020 decision for his claims of service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating for the left shoulder disability was not addressed under the new AMA appeal system.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot condition other than pes cavus and a left ankle condition, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various shoulder, wrist, ankle, and spine disorders. The claim for a headache disorder was reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran. Secondary service connection was granted for migraine headaches related to PTSD. Service connection was established for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 25, 2012, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that he became unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities in the year prior to filing his claim.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle, left knee, right knee, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 28, 2010 for the awards of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU for the period prior to October 5, 2020. The Board found there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities and remanded the case for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and right knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Specifically, an examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle disorder and a right knee disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate VA medical opinions that failed to address lay evidence or other pertinent medical evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle osteochondral injury, finding that there is no evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, requiring further evidence and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right leg condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD with major depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, left ankle disability, left hand disability, right elbow disability, and neck/upper back disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle conditions as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as he withdrew his appeal prior to issuance of a decision.

The Veteran's right ankle ligamentous injury, major depressive disorder, TBI, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot condition, left ankle condition, and right foot condition. Service connection was denied for a right ankle condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and generalized osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left hip, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was denied for gastroenteritis, respiratory disability (sinusitis and rhinitis), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between his in-service injury and current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of TBI have been found to necessitate a higher level of aid and attendance, warranting SMC(t) from January 6, 2015.