Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, left foot and ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment for the periods where his combined rating was less than total.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by his knee braces and topical medication for service-connected conditions. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the damage caused by the knee braces, but denied the claim for the topical medication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability was reopened and granted. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of an ankle injury due to foot surgery was denied, as there was no new and material evidence received since the April 2007 rating decision. Service connection for a bilateral ankle disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any impairment or diagnoses of a headache disability or disabilities of the hip, knees, legs, ankles, feet, a deviated septum, or a heart disability related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding development needed, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left ankle disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with some requiring initial compensable ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of left shoulder strain, right knee sprain, and left ankle sprain due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private treatment records related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. Effective date issues have also been addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower leg and ankle crush injury, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, scar disability, anxiety, and heart condition due to lack of a VA examination. The issues are related to service connection.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the lack of records from the Veteran's period of active service from January 1971 to December 1973. The VA must attempt to obtain these records and provide a formal finding if they cannot be obtained.

The Board denied service connection and increased rating claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current ankle or knee conditions were related to her military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's hearing loss, left ankle disability, headaches, and low back disabilities due to their worsening since his last VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot condition (Morton's neuroma) has been granted. Claims for bilateral ankle arthritis and bilateral shoulder arthritis have been granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20% for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, and a separate 10% rating is granted for limited extension. The right ankle disability remains under review.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral ankle disorder, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and issues being inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and right ankle disorder. The decision also noted that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a higher rating but did not assign any specific rating.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for several issues, including those related to a right breast cyst, disability of the right thumb and fingers, Raynaud’s syndrome of the hands, spider veins of the thighs, and scar of the right thigh. The remaining issues were remanded.