Ankle Board decisions

The Board has decided that entitlement to an annual clothing allowance for the year of 2015 due to the use of a right knee brace is granted. However, the claim for a left lower extremity brace remains unclear and requires further action.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and left ankle disability due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain all relevant service treatment and personnel records from the Veteran's active duty service and Army National Guard/Army Reserve.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory condition (chronic bronchitis/COPD) was granted. The claim for service connection for headaches is pending.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and colon cancer have been granted service connection.,The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 13, 2022 remains in appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder traumatic arthritis, right wrist traumatic arthritis, and right ankle traumatic arthritis. The decision finds that the Veteran's depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, left ankle disability, tinnitus, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, left hip condition (secondary to lumbosacral strain), right hip condition (secondary to lumbosacral strain), narcolepsy, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.,The Veteran's thoracic aorta enlargement claim is also being remanded as there may be relevant medical records from his general practitioner that have not been obtained.

The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right arm tendinitis was denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's neck disorder and whether it is related to service or aggravated by his back disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder have been withdrawn.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability, effective December 8, 2009. The case of service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded due to incomplete examination and missing records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied hip osteoarthritis was granted, but the new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder condition and has denied service connection for this condition. The cases related to left ankle strain, right ankle strain, right knee condition, and left knee condition are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.,The Veteran's right little finger healed fracture disability is also being remanded for further examination and development.,Service connection for right foot synovitis due to Still's Disease, left wrist CTS, and a right knee disability are all being remanded. The Veteran claims these conditions were caused by exposure to environmental agents at FTMC or secondary to her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is also being remanded for further examination and development of her medical records.,Service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding when the Veteran's right knee problems started.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MST, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is being remanded. The Veteran claims these conditions were caused by in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, except where a temporary total rating has been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right thumb/hand disability and post-appendectomy/post-C-section scar have been denied as she failed to cooperate in rescheduling VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervix cancerous cells has been denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% evaluation prior to May 4, 2023. A higher rating for PTSD since May 4, 2023, and a compensable evaluation for right ankle scars are denied. The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% evaluation.

From August 11, 2023, the Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent for ankylosis in dorsiflexion between zero and ten degrees.,Prior to August 11, 2023, the Veteran was granted separate initial ratings of 10 percent for slight instability from November 4, 2016, and 20 percent for moderate instability from January 29, 2019.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for several conditions and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors and grants this claim. Other claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.