Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including neck pain, ankle and hip pain, hand and elbow pain, migraine headaches, psychomotor epilepsy, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), chronic fatigue syndrome, prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board grants total disability for individual unemployability (TDIU) throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained and the claims remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including right knee, left knee, right ankle, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), hepatitis disorder, and left shoulder disabilities. The decision also referred the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disability back to the AOJ.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are related to in-service injuries.,Specifically, the VA examiners found no chronicity of the claimed right ankle instability with sinus tarsi syndrome or left shoulder degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease with tendinosis prior to their diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 9, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD has been granted, but a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating increase in his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection of right knee and left ankle conditions, as well as their relationship to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examinations are inadequate and remands for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding relevant records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left ankle post traumatic tendonitis, gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease, dermatitis, and scar, residual of spine surgery have all been denied.,Specifically, the Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 22, 2020, and at 20 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his cervical spine, right shoulder, left hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The effective dates remain at September 12, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee, ankle, and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his right knee, right ankle, and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's neck disability, headaches, and left ankle disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a higher rating for his headache condition and an initial rating of 10 percent disabling for his left ankle disability from November 1, 2011 to December 4, 2015.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis and lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's right wrist strain is denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his National Guard and Reserve service records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant personnel and medical records, including those from the Texas and New Jersey National Guards and Army Reserves.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left ankle sprain is granted. The claims for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and disc disease, respiratory disorder, and depression due to sexual harassment on active duty are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to her active military service.