Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as the appeal was not timely filed and concurrent elections are prohibited.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, right ankle, and right knee disorders. The conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ankle and bilateral foot disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and left knee disorders due to a lack of medical opinion on the Veteran's new theory of direct service connection. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service or if they were caused by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle conditions. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for further development regarding service connection for residuals of lipoma excisions on various body parts.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total disability rating is dismissed because he has already been granted a TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities, rendering the issues moot.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated the criteria for occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since June 5, 2020.,From June 17, 2019, multiple service-connected disabilities rendered the Veteran unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his right ankle sprain during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for right ankle scar was dismissed. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right foot disability is denied, and the case is remanded for further action on the right ankle disability.

The Veteran's increased initial disability ratings for left and right ankle disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show marked limitation of motion or other compensable symptoms.

The Board has denied service connection for the right hip, left hip, and right ankle conditions. The cervical spine condition and lumbosacral strain (low back strain) are remanded due to insufficient examination or opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further review of his claims, including a determination on compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the O level.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to service and is denied.,Bilateral hearing loss did not meet the VA criteria for a disability, thus denial.,There is no evidence of a current left ankle disability, leading to denial.,Right ankle disability also lacks a current diagnosis, resulting in denial.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating, effective August 13, 2015.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, diagnosed as right ankle arthritis, is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for PFB, left ankle disability, and tinea versicolor. The decision states that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, bilateral leg swelling, diabetes mellitus, right knee and ankle pain, left hip pain, chronic back pain, hypertension, headaches, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or the presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The issues of service connection for left knee, right forearm, right ankle, bronchitis and migraine disorders were denied.