Ankle Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot metatarsalgia, osteochondritis dissecans, plantar fasciitis, and ankle condition as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The right ankle disorder claim was remanded, and the sleep apnea and pseudofolliculitis claims were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and requests an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depression, recurrent moderately severe (previously rated as adjustment disorder with depressed mood), is granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to January 17, 2020. For the period beginning from January 17, 2020, his major depression is granted a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, kidney disability, and several other disabilities are denied. The Board has remanded the remaining service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for condition of the teeth, throat pain, left ankle disability, and diverticulosis were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for diverticulosis was granted with a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Board has determined that the claims file is missing relevant medical evidence, including records from Dr. K.M., and therefore these claims are remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee, hip, and ankle conditions as secondary to a service-connected left great toe fracture with degenerative arthritis. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims for left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and lower back condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has restored the 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle tendonitis, finding that the reduction was improper due to lack of actual improvement in the disability under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for direct service connection of a right ankle disorder. The issue of secondary service connection is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent for the service-connected right and left ankle disabilities, but denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for the major (dominant) right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's right hip disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left ankle disabilities.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome. The right ankle condition claim will also be remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle arthritis, right ankle arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis have been granted. Service connection has also been granted for a right shoulder torn rotator cuff. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right arm bicep tear is denied.