Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle tendonitis and degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 20 percent effective November 29, 2018.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for his service-connected right ankle disability was granted. He is now rated at 30 percent, but no higher, with an effective date of December 1, 2020.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, right and left hip disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and cervical spine disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle conditions, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of medical records and an inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue where the AOJ did not accept the Appellant's timely VA Form 20-0996 Higher Level Review request for review of the June 2020 decision. The AOJ should now conduct a higher level review.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, neck, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, right shoulder, and right arm disabilities based on their onset during service.,Service connection is also granted for TMJ dysfunction and sleep-related bruxism, but the evidence does not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's right ankle condition, and a new examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain and left foot conditions are being evaluated again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including back pain, ankle joint pain, knee conditions, and wrist sprain. The evidence did not support granting higher ratings or establishing service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected depressive disorder and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with laxity and instability. The decision also grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of April 15, 2014. Effective from that date, he is granted a TDIU and an increase in his rating for right ankle sprain with decreased reflexes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left ankle strains, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and right ear hearing loss as these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is not rated higher than 20 percent due to the lack of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, and no favorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's left knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent due to the absence of limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinions regarding etiology and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various disorders, including left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, left ankle disorder, headache disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board has determined that these claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, CTS, ankle disorders, elbow disorders, hip disorders, knee disorders, and neck disorders. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for neck, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. Further examination is needed to determine the nature of his current conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for an award of SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes was denied, and the Board found that there is no current disability of diabetes. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted as his PTSD and gout disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.