Ankle decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective October 25, 2016, as he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability.,The claims for service connection for gastrointestinal and kidney conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis is related to an in-service injury, and service connection for this condition has been granted.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.,Service connection for a left foot disability is denied.,Service connection for a left hand disability is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) is denied.,Service connection for a back disability is denied.,Service connection for right side sciatica is denied.,Service connection for left side sciatica is denied.,Service connection for a skin rash is denied.,Service connection for a right leg disability is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for metrorrhagia, right ankle strain, and major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that would qualify as 'active military, naval, or air service' and thus make her a 'veteran'.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for vertigo, left foot condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's left foot disability was denied an increased rating before September 21, 2015.,A separate rating of 10% for plantar fasciitis is granted since February 7, 2021.,An earlier effective date of April 1, 2014, is granted for service connection of left foot rheumatoid arthritis and bilateral ankle rheumatoid arthritis.,The Veteran's right foot rheumatoid arthritis was also granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a residual ovarian cyst disability, anemia, and a right ankle condition were denied. The claim for a left foot/toe condition (including hallux valgus and left 1st toe arthritis) was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to address the Veteran's theory of entitlement involving his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's claim for a back disability was previously denied in August 2012 and became final. The Veteran submitted new evidence in May 2020, which led to the grant of service connection for a back disability as secondary to his existing service-connected condition.,A right ankle fracture was granted service connection effective January 18, 2021, based on the date the claim was received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities, including hearing loss, psychiatric conditions, sleep apnea, GERD, ulcers, prostate issues, hyperlipidemia, neck, back, ankle, elbow, eye glaucoma, foot, hip, shoulder, wrist, and knee disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back, left shoulder, right knee, and right ankle disabilities have been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in August 2020. The Board requires new VA examinations with retrospective opinions to address the functional loss and additional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis. The claim for a right ankle disorder was denied. Service connection for hypertension is also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle and right elbow disabilities, as these conditions are considered direct service connections. The appeal is dismissed because the benefits sought have been fully granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for left club foot, left ankle disorder, left hip disorder, and pes planus right foot due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is required to provide additional private treatment records and undergo further VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. The claims of increased ratings for right knee strain, service connection for back condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities and obesity. His left knee disability remains at a 20% rating, while his right ankle disability does not warrant an increase.