Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD has been granted, but a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating increase in his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection of right knee and left ankle conditions, as well as their relationship to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examinations are inadequate and remands for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding relevant records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left ankle post traumatic tendonitis, gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease, dermatitis, and scar, residual of spine surgery have all been denied.,Specifically, the Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 22, 2020, and at 20 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his cervical spine, right shoulder, left hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The effective dates remain at September 12, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee, ankle, and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his right knee, right ankle, and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's neck disability, headaches, and left ankle disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a higher rating for his headache condition and an initial rating of 10 percent disabling for his left ankle disability from November 1, 2011 to December 4, 2015.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis and lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's right wrist strain is denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his National Guard and Reserve service records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant personnel and medical records, including those from the Texas and New Jersey National Guards and Army Reserves.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left ankle sprain is granted. The claims for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and disc disease, respiratory disorder, and depression due to sexual harassment on active duty are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to her active military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as there are concerns about a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the adequacy of previous medical opinions and consideration of in-service treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle disability and TMJ with bruxism, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete STRs and the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist, right wrist, left ankle, right ankle, left elbow, right elbow, left hip, and right hip conditions. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's ankle surgeries and degenerative arthritis have been granted temporary total disability ratings, a 20% evaluation for residuals of the surgeries, and denied higher evaluations for his degenerative arthritis.