Ankle Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as he withdrew his appeal prior to issuance of a decision.

The Veteran's right ankle ligamentous injury, major depressive disorder, TBI, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot condition, left ankle condition, and right foot condition. Service connection was denied for a right ankle condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and generalized osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left hip, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was denied for gastroenteritis, respiratory disability (sinusitis and rhinitis), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between his in-service injury and current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of TBI have been found to necessitate a higher level of aid and attendance, warranting SMC(t) from January 6, 2015.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the claims of low back, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to lidocaine cream and patches, finding that they were not related to service-connected skin conditions and did not cause irreparable damage to his outergarments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the right ulnar nerve neuropathy and left ankle disorder secondary to service-connected conditions. The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding her service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate examination reports, specifically focusing on whether the current ankle conditions are aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal as to an increased rating for a left ankle disability has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal. The earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD remains pending before the CAVC.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his infertility claim. The remaining claims have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for a left ankle disability, service connection for psychiatric, low back, left knee, and right ankle disabilities as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability, and TDIU. The Veteran is required to provide VA with any outstanding private treatment records related to her claims and to complete forms for tax returns.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected psychiatric disability and its impact on the claimed ankle, carpal tunnel syndrome, foot, cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and right knee disabilities.,Specifically, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if any of these disabilities are related to or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection and rating increases. The Veteran's VA treatment records, CAPRI records, and examinations are being requested.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The issues of increased disability rating for right ankle disability and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. However, it denied service connection for a low back disability, concluding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,Service connection was granted for the right ankle disability based on medical opinions indicating an in-service injury and chronic conditions post-service. The low back disability claim was denied due to lack of evidence connecting the current condition to service.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from March 6, 2017 to March 19, 2021 due to service-connected disabilities. He is also granted SMC based on aid and attendance.