Ankle Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for post-polio syndrome left lower extremity by way of aggravation and secondary service connection for post-polio syndrome right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ is required to obtain relevant medical records, including from Detroit Medical Center, Dr. G.R., and Dr. A.Y., and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine etiology of any left knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the service connection for a left ankle condition and tinnitus. As a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, and the right ankle sprain is rated at 10 percent. The claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee strains, as well as right and left ankle strains. The reasons include inadequate opinions from a VA examiner regarding the onset of these conditions during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the earlier effective date for service connection of a right ankle condition. As a result, the Board dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral ankle, shoulder, and back disabilities was dismissed due to the failure to timely file a VA Form 10182 within one year of the December 1997 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will provide further examination and opinion regarding the nature and cause of any obstructive sleep apnea and left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various hip and ankle conditions due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran must provide a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 25, 2019 for various service connection and increased rating claims. The Veteran's original claim was filed through his local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) on January 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle scars was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804 or 7805.

The Veteran's right knee disability was not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition, and the temporary total rating for surgery due to her ankle/foot issue is also denied.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae as moot due to a prior grant of service connection under the 'legacy' system. The claims for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU benefits are granted with an effective date of January 1, 2018, as the evidence shows he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for his left ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in the severity of his condition within one year prior to June 18, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The Board finds service connection for tinnitus is warranted due to in-service noise exposure and credible lay statements of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities has been dismissed due to withdrawal of claims by the Veteran and his attorney.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, depression and anxiety, and a bilateral ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a lumbosacral strain with DJD Lumbosacral Spine. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or service-connected disabilities.