Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's ankle disabilities have been rated at the minimum compensable level of 10 percent for each ankle. The VA examinations show moderate disability in both ankles, but no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of more than moderate limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as asthma, is related to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The right ankle disability issue remains pending due to a lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, kidney disorder, left leg disorder, and various other conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in service and her kidney and left leg disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including generalized anxiety disorder, hidradenitis, right ankle injury with degenerative changes, and anal fistula) are deemed to be the primary basis for his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His combined rating is 80 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including translation of Spanish documents and potential extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his right ankle disability and service-connected right knee and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The appeal regarding the lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder sprain, left ankle sprain, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches is pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her military service, and therefore denies all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder is denied as the evidence does not support the presence of such a disability.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, increased rating for left knee disability, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding military personnel records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, left knee disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and right lower extremity disability (including ankle).

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for her service-connected right and left knee disorders, as well as service connection for multiple joint disabilities. The Board has ordered additional examinations to evaluate the severity of her knees and determine if the other claimed conditions are related to her service-connected knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the claims.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been at least 80 percent throughout the pendency of the claim, and he has met the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. The appeal as to higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection is sought, and there is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for flat feet, Parkinson's disease, left leg disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for the issues of entitlement to higher initial disability ratings for PTSD, a right ankle disability, and GERD; and service connection for hemorrhoids. The denial of service connection for TBI remains in effect.