Ankle decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of her claims, including those related to her right ankle disability, major depressive disorder, and TDIU.

The Veteran's right and left ankle conditions, as well as his neck condition, are pending further examination and evaluation. The appeal is remanded to determine their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate that he is unemployable due to his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for OSA was granted with an effective date of October 31, 2013. The rating for the right-hand little finger injury remains noncompensable. The claims for eczema and low back strain are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his active service.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period from September 7, 2007 to September 8, 2008. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from April 30, 2014 to April 8, 2020. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 2, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether he was precluded by his service-connected disabilities from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment in occupations related to his education, training, and work experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), as well as his claims for gastritis secondary to medications taken for service-connected disabilities, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to Reserve service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right hip and/or left knee disabilities.,From July 1, 2020, the Veteran's left knee disability (status-post total replacement) is rated at 30 percent. From July 21, 2017 to May 12, 2019, he was granted a 20 percent rating for limitation of flexion and another 20 percent rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from October 19, 2020 is dismissed as moot because he has been awarded a combined 100 percent rating. The appeal of the extraschedular TDIU claim prior to October 19, 2020 is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a new examination to assess the current severity of his knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his left knee scar. Additionally, he needs an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his left ankle disorder and bilateral wrist pain.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection of bilateral ankle and hip disabilities, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding a headache disorder, left ankle disability, and stomach disability require additional examination to determine their etiology. The cases are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,Both right and left ankle strain with tenosynovitis are rated at 20 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.,Initial compensable ratings are granted for left and right ankle disabilities, effective prior to January 9, 2023.,A 10 percent evaluation is granted for metatarsalgia and status-post right foot navicular fracture.,Initial 30 percent evaluations are granted for left and right knee disabilities (limitation of flexion).,GERD with hiatal hernia and chronic diarrhea warrant a 30 percent evaluation.,Service connection for TBI is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a headache disability, and sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability from September 25, 2020. The right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period and PTSD led to a grant of TDIU.