Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disability and TBI have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no additional compensable ratings granted. Headaches were not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his right shoulder and right ankle disabilities, as well as to determine if he has a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle/leg disorder, including resolved right ankle sprain and post contusion compression injury, is etiologically related to his military service. After resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, it is at least as likely as not that his current condition is due to his inservice injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting information regarding his address and the need for a rescheduled hearing. The issues of reopening service connection for TBI, as well as increased ratings for shell fragment wounds of the right calf and left ankle are also on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirement for assignment of a TDIU and are reasonably shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent. The claims for extraschedular ratings and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a right ankle disability, and a right foot disability. The decision also addressed an increased rating claim for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh but that issue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and needs further development before a final decision can be made on the service connection claim for left ankle disorder.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including addressing the issue of aggravation of a right lower-leg disorder by service-connected left tibia fracture residuals.

The Board has remanded the issues for further evaluation due to procedural errors and will consider them again once the proper information is provided.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected right ankle disability did not warrant a higher rating during the periods specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle and knee disabilities are related to his in-service ACDUTRA injury, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently evaluated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling due to moderate limitation of motion. The Veteran also has subastragalar or tarsal joint ankylosis in good weight-bearing position, which warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knees, and left ankle as his conditions are not related to service or manifested within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, but did not grant the requested higher initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned for rescheduling the hearing and providing notice of representation options.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether his left ankle disability is related to his service-connected low back disability. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling and he has sufficient additional service-connected disabilities to bring his combined rating to 80 percent; these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment. The criteria for TDIU are met.