Ankle Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle conditions. The claims of service connection for low back condition and left hand injury are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle scar has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent, effective July 3, 2007.,The Board is remanding the issues regarding left cervical radiculopathy and right ankle residuals for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder has been granted.,The claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected left knee strain and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for left ankle injury, low back injury, and sinusitis. The Board has dismissed these issues as the appeal is withdrawn.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle chronic lateral collateral ligament sprain. The Veteran did not have a current disability of a left ankle disorder at any time during the appeal period, and his right ankle disability was rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for painful surgical scars on the right ankle, finding that the evidence is approximately balanced in favor of a grant due to pain and instability.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus and a right ankle condition were dismissed due to untimely filing of the VA Form 10182.,The Veteran's appeal for a left ankle condition was denied as there is no current disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability rating for hypertension and service connection for various conditions due to his death, as the AOJ has not made a formal substitution determination in the matter.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a right ankle condition due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for an examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The current rating decision does not address this issue directly.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and ankle conditions, low back pain, sciatic radicular pain, TBI, headaches, and PB, are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis with lateral collateral ligament sprain and tendonitis, finding that her current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from April 20, 2021. The decision finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no current diagnosed disability and that her symptoms do not result in functional impairment of earning capacity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding obtaining documents pertaining to the Veteran's duty status on the day of her injury and private medical records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is service-connected, and he is granted an initial rating of 20 percent for his left ankle disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is also granted an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional records, particularly inpatient treatment records from Seymour Johnson AFB Hospital and Charleston AFB.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is dismissed. The remaining issues, including increased rating for right ankle disability and service connection for left and right knee disabilities, are remanded.