Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the claim requires another remand to obtain an adequate examination that complies with the directives of previous remands. The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition is not considered to have caused or aggravated his current right ankle disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected right knee disabilities, has been reopened. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis C from September 26, 2013 to February 28, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's foot and ankle disability, rated as 10 percent disabling prior to February 6, 2012, 20 percent disabling prior to April 28, 2016, and 30 percent thereafter, is granted. The claim for a TDIU is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg disability, to include her left knee, did not originate in service or within a year of service and is not otherwise etiologically related to her active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 18, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD has caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher rating than initially assigned.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1993 to 1996 and providing a new VA examination to address the etiology of any diagnosed right ankle disability, including whether it is secondary to left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss and service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as bone spurs of the feet due to incomplete examination reports. The case is now back with the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his postoperative bilateral keratoma with metatarsalgia and residuals of a fracture of the right ankle were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing marked limitation of motion in either condition, which is required for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, left ankle, and psychiatric disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and securing any outstanding treatment records. The TDIU claim will also be developed on remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause incapacity that requires regular aid and assistance of another person to dress, perform basic hygiene tasks such as bathing, and to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic musculoligamentous strain of the right shoulder, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, and chronic bilateral musculoligamentous ankle strain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral Achilles tendinosis and ankle disability, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active duty and there was no evidence of aggravation by a service-connected condition. The left knee disability has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current bilateral ankle disabilities as a result of his service, or as a result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the right ankle disability and did not address service connection issues due to lack of merit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, considering the impairment from the disorders and his educational and employment history.