Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning February 9, 2016, but not earlier. The effective date of the TDIU award is fixed in accordance with the facts found and was factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unemployable within one year prior to February 9, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected CRSD and PTSD, right ankle osteoarthritis, status post avulsion fracture, and right ankle scars have been granted. However, the specific rating assigned is not provided in this decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, left ankle sprain, and mechanical right ankle pain. The main reasons for remand are due to inadequate examinations that did not address functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left ankle sprain and dental condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis and sleep apnea have been granted service connection, with the right ankle tendonitis being secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right ankle disability due to alleged negligence during surgery in June 1999.

The Board has decided that new evidence must be considered to reopen claims for service connection of various disabilities, including knee and sinus issues. The case is being sent back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) to review this new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle fracture with degenerative arthritis status post fusion, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral tinnitus are granted. The claim for secondary service connection for low back disorder is remanded.

Service connection for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is granted.,An effective date earlier than January 30, 2015, for the grant of service connection for bilateral ankle and bilateral knee disorders is denied.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed due to the Veteran's suggestion of worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in April 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo additional medical examinations to determine if he currently has these conditions, and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has denied reopening the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for a compensable initial disability rating for tinea cruris of the left ankle and for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back condition, right ankle condition, sleep apnea condition, and headache condition have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for sleep apnea and headaches. The Veteran’s hypertension and diabetes mellitus Type II are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient medical evidence in some cases, and a need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total convalescent rating outside of the assigned October 11, 2012, to April 30, 2013, period due to service-connected left distal tibial pillion fracture, status-post ankle fusion, is denied as there was no evidence of severe postoperative residuals such as incompletely healed surgical wounds or wheelchair-bound status after April 30, 2013.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, headache disorder, bowel disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) and bilateral shoulder bursitis.