Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records. The issue of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis will also be referred to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to clarify whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 22, 2021.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted. His obstructive sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric conditions. Right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, and right knee meniscal tear are all granted. Left knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain are granted. Low back disabilities are granted. The Veteran's lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. His bilateral plantar fasciitis rating from December 3, 2019, is increased to 50%.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle due to inadequate medical opinions. The SMC claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service. The VA must obtain updated treatment records, arrange for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner on both conditions, and consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

Service connection is granted for eczema, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, medial epicondylitis of the right elbow, rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee.,The claims for service connection for residuals of Lyme's disease or related infectious disease and a TBI or other impairment of the brain as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the hands, right ankle disorder, and bilateral leg condition are being remanded due to missing service treatment records.,No current disability has been established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if she was eligible for concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation, which would affect the withholding of her VA compensation benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete sentences and lack of clarity in the September 2021 opinion, as well as the need for clarification on the impact of ameliorative medication. The Veteran is also required to submit a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective opinions from the July 2022 VA examiner regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability throughout the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to go out when he wishes, lack of blindness or residence in a nursing home, and inability to require regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to delays in scheduling VA examinations, and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, right ankle and hip/knee disabilities, and a sleep disability. The issues are related to whether these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's military service or other previously service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as a presumptive disorder related to active military service.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted as permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an adequate retrospective opinion on functional ankylosis and a full review of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as a back condition. The claims are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and the possibility of additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD and TBI residuals has been denied. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, chronic depression and anxiety, and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a low back disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, or blurred vision that had onset during service and are not otherwise related to service.