Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his ankle conditions due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to address functional impairment of earning capacity.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left shoulder strains, right elbow strain, left elbow strain, right knee strain, and right ankle strain, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right ankle condition, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's GERD, left ankle pain, erectile dysfunction, and tension headaches are all claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to PTSD.,The VA examiner in June 2021 did not provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's symptoms of burning in his throat and stomach, vomiting, and unintentional weight loss constitute a disability and whether any such disability is secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its secondary relationship to PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the right and left knee, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, right and left ankle conditions, and nasal bone fracture residuals due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary to determine if it warrants an increased rating due to symptoms functionally equivalent to ankylosis.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is granted with a 30% disability rating, effective May 28, 2015.,The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis and left ankle tendonitis are each granted with a 20% disability rating, effective November 20, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sinus disorder, low back disorder, or right ankle disorder. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's vertigo is rated at a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim.,The Veteran's TDIU application was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and left ankle sprain, including as secondary to his right knee disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a right rib fracture, finding that it was caused by his service-connected left ankle disability. The issue of increased rating for the left ankle fracture residuals is remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination reports.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and vacated the remand decision.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development.,PTSD was rated at 50% prior to February 8, 2023, and 70% from that date. The appeal is remanded as well.,PTSD remains rated at 70% from February 8, 2023, to February 5, 2024. The appeal is also remanded for further development.,PTSD continues to be rated at 70%. The appeal is remanded again due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for hypertension and remanded the issues of service connection for gout, right ankle condition, and skin cancer due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, but do not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The left knee scar and ankle disability are denied, with no compensable rating assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently enrolled in college and has attempted to re-enter the workforce. The Board finds that his unemployability is due to his mental health conditions rather than his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disturbance condition due to insufficient evidence, including lack of a sleep study.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to use of right and left knee braces, as well as a wheelchair, are remanded. The AOJ must provide adequate notice regarding the basis for the denial and identify elements not satisfied leading to the denial.