Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for urinary incontinence as a neurological manifestation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain has been denied. The Board found that the medical evidence does not support a finding that the urinary incontinence is related to his back disability. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria but fails to provide sufficient evidence regarding the economic component as detailed by VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 21, 2017. Effective from March 21, 2017, the rating was increased to 20 percent. From that date forward, a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for heart and hypertension disabilities are remanded, as well as an initial compensable disability rating prior to September 19, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for service-connected lumbar spine disability.

Service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory condition due to environmental hazard exposure are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for retrospective medical opinions regarding range of motion during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a higher disability rating for left ankle disability has been remanded due to errors in the original decision.,There is no clear and unmistakable error found in previous decisions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for the right ankle disability prior to August 24, 2017 is denied. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle disability from August 24, 2017 is also denied. The Board has remanded the issues regarding service connection for left ankle disability (secondary to right ankle disability), obstructive sleep apnea, and low back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, as well as PTSD, are all granted due to their relationship with active service.,Service connection is established for arthritis of the left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle. Additionally, PTSD related to military sexual trauma (MST) is also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at 10 percent and no higher, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.,The effective dates for service connection of MDD, right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, right knee anterior scar, and tinnitus have not been earlier than August 29, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral ankle arthritis, bilateral foot arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, and lower back arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for RLS, right wrist, and right knee disorders.

The claim of service connection for left ankle sprain residuals has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any identified left lower extremity disabilities. The Veteran's claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various foot and ankle disabilities remain unresolved due to additional evidence submitted since the last final decision. The Board has determined that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered individually, do not preclude him from engaging in gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for Crohn's disease, right ankle fracture, and left knee injury were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they have been decided.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during the appeal process.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, a right ankle disability, and migraine headaches as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active-duty service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection were based on direct service connection.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

For the period prior to January 23, 2016, the Veteran's left ankle sprain was manifested by moderate limitation of motion. Since January 23, 2016, his left ankle sprain has been characterized by marked limitation of motion.,Since October 14, 2020, the Veteran's left foot disability has been characterized as moderately severe.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to April 15, 2019.