Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted.,Prior to March 6, 2024, the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, but this determination is moot as he has since achieved a combined disability evaluation of at least 100 percent from March 6, 2024.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant nonVA treatment records.,The Veteran's bladder problems may be related to his lumbar spine disability or a nonservice-connected condition, and further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his left and right ankle disabilities, as well as allergic rhinitis, have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal in September 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to his service-connected migraine headaches, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis, rotator cuff tear with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ), chronic, left ankle post traumatic degenerative joint disease, right hip trochanteric pain/bursitis syndrome (extension), and right hip trochanteric pain/bursitis syndrome (flexion).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of proper examination and an error in seeking an addendum. The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, but he is requesting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of major depressive disorder was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.,The Veteran's appeal for an increase in his bilateral hearing loss disability rating was denied as he refused to attend additional VA examinations without good cause.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of tinnitus was denied because the maximum schedular evaluation has been assigned, and no higher evaluation is warranted based on the current evidence.,Service connection for HIV was denied due to lack of a current disability. The weight of the persuasive evidence did not support finding that the Veteran had HIV.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder was denied as there was no evidence of a chronic left ankle disorder during service or within one year following discharge, and the claimant's statements were insufficient to establish nexus.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to file a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year of the April 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted. The decision is based on the severity of his symptoms related to PTSD and the impact it had on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied an effective date prior to December 30, 2015 for the grant of service connection for a right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claim was not received within one year of separation from service and the earliest possible effective date is December 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and major depressive disorder due to errors in identifying the appellant's periods of active duty and Reserve service, as well as potential aggravation of her right ankle during her Reserve service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee conditions, left knee conditions, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition due to insufficient medical opinions in the initial decision.

The Veteran's right ear condition with dizziness is granted service connection. The claims for left ear, heart, chest pain, prostate, stomach, neck, back, hip, ankle, and foot conditions are denied.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis caused or aggravated his current left ankle condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in August 2022 were inadequate and remanded for new examinations to determine if the Veteran's hip, shoulder, ankle, and knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, finding that they are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee loss of flexion with pain secondary to a left knee strain, but denied service connection for right ankle pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use of extremities, and his conditions are not related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or other presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, migraine headaches, and erectile dysfunction due to procedural errors in the initial decision-making process. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the left shoulder disability and separate 10 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to May 2, 2024. The claims for increased ratings for the ankle and lumbar strain were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of injury during service and no nexus between his current left ankle disability and his service-connected right ankle disability.