Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning several service connection and rating issues, including for tension headaches, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, left ankle fracture, right ankle fracture, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's dermatitis is granted as service-connected due to exposure from environmental hazards in Southwest Asia during military service.,The Veteran's voiding dysfunction condition is denied as not related to her service-connected PTSD and obesity, with no aggravation by obesity.,The bilateral hip condition, right ankle condition, and lumbar spine condition are remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obesity.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The appellant is denied DIC benefits, survivors pension benefits, and accrued benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of osteoarthritis are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for amputation, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to a lack of VA examinations conducted during the appeal period.

The Board denied appeals for earlier effective dates for TDIU, a 30 percent rating for right ankle ankylosis status/post ORIF nondisplaced trimalleolar fracture, and a separate rating for LLE sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found to have been rated appropriately based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to a 20 percent rating for his left ankle degenerative arthritis.,Both conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The claims for service connection of a right knee disability, left ankle disability, and residuals of a head injury have been granted.,The claim for service connection of PTSD has been denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability may have caused or aggravated his claimed left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right wrist disabilities. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to September 1, 2010. The Board has remanded the claims of a higher rating and TDIU due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board has found that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and thus the claims for service connection of right and left ankle disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and incomplete evidence.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation due to the need for higher level aid and attendance related to his traumatic brain injury.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's claims were continuously pursued from July 9, 2019, and the effective dates are based on these pursuit dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his case file and because of the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle condition. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU from September 1, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a groin pain, increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities, and service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities due to new evidence and further development being required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision, specifically regarding the Veteran's argument about the adequacy of the November 2019 VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran will have an opportunity to submit additional evidence and arguments.