Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for right knee disability (secondary to left knee), left ankle disability (secondary to left knee), increased ratings for synovitis of the left knee, status-post total arthroplasty of the left knee, posttraumatic changes of the left hip, residuals of a left tibia fracture, and TDIU prior to and since November 13, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, rupture of posterior tibialis tendon, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities (hip disabilities), and pituitary tumor. The decision also remanded claims for chronic sinusitis and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, affecting balance and propulsion. The Board finds that he is eligible for specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptation grants due to his existing eligibility for SAH.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle, left knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disorder is being remanded due to insufficient examination findings and rationale.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for right ankle sprain status post-fracture are denied as the evidence does not support ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to March 11, 2020 or 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left ankle disability, and left shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology after service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder scar as it is considered a residual from his non-service-connected left shoulder rotator cuff repair surgery.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied, and the request to withdraw his TDIU claim is now dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating of his right ankle disability remains pending.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the right foot and ankle, finding that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by amputation below the knee with a suitable prosthetic appliance. The decision is based on evidence from VA treating podiatrists who assessed the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and other service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his combined service-connected disabilities, which includes bilateral hearing loss (20%), tinnitus (10%), osteoarthritis of the left knee (10%), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with limited extension of right knee (10%), limited extension of left and right knees (10% each), and osteoarthritis of the left and right ankles (10%).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience during the period on appeal prior to October 1, 2016. Therefore, TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to failure to comply with prior remand directives and issues related to VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include L4-L5 space narrowing degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder based on limited range of motion, left knee disability based on limitation of motion, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10% prior to August 11, 2021 and granted a 20% rating effective from that date. The ratings for her carpal tunnel syndromes were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient development of evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, ankle, and hamstring disabilities due to incomplete Reserve service medical records. The RO is instructed to verify all relevant periods of active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA, request any missing medical and personnel records from the Veteran, and ensure all available Reserve service medical records are obtained.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected due to its relationship with his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The right ankle and back disorders are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left great toe, left ankle, right ankle, and right shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The appeal for the issue of sickle cell trait was dismissed. The appeals for low back disorder, pes planus, left ankle disorder, inguinal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, and sinusitis are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 9, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran was still employed at the time of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current left ankle disability and his military service.