Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues of bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral knee conditions, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right foot, left foot, right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disabilities are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for a major depressive disorder with secondary alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability (blurred vision), low back disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is rated at the highest allowable under the rating criteria, and her right shoulder condition does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, left ankle disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral legs are all granted as service-connected.,There is no specific rating assigned or effective date provided in this decision.

An increased 50 percent rating for a thoracic/lumbar spine disability is granted.,Prior to June 21, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment. Since June 21, 2019, his acquired psychiatric disability has made it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.,Since June 21, 2019, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for consideration of additional evidence, including VA hip and ankle examinations conducted in April 2022 and updated treatment records. The Veteran was advised to waive AOJ review if he did not want this evidence considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability can be adjudicated. The claims file must be updated with the Veteran's SSA records and earning reports, and the case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for recurring facial rash. The cases of right ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 40 percent effective November 6, 2017. The right ankle disorder is rated at 20 percent effective March 23, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the etiology of any right and left ankle disabilities, as well as any right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, kidney disease, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate efforts in scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities are granted secondary to service-connected conditions. His LUE and RUE peripheral neuropathy are also granted as secondary to his bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder (chronic lower back pain), and right lower extremity disorder (restless leg syndrome) as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence regarding the reported in-service injury. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and cause of his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including determining whether an increased rating is warranted for left ankle tendonitis with lateral collateral ligament sprain prior to May 30, 2023, and from May 30, 2023 and thereafter. The Veteran's left hip trochanteric pain syndrome was also remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected right ankle and muscle tear disabilities, with obesity acting as an intermediate step. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the Veteran's ankle disabilities and sleep disorder, as the previous examinations were inadequate. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for right foot condition and lung cancer are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiology opinions.