Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected right ankle tendonitis with arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show more nearly approximate a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IVDS, left ankle cyst, and TBI were all granted. However, the claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity was denied, as was the claim for degenerative arthritis of the back.,A remand has been ordered for a cervical radiculopathy claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including effective dates and ratings for shoulder and ankle conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of right and left ankle sprains, gout, and arthritis other than right and left knee arthritis have been granted.,However, the claim for service connection for arthritis other than right and left knee arthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, CTS of the bilateral upper extremities, and reopened the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, loss of circulation in the bilateral arms, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability, and neck disability due to lack of diagnosis and need for further examination.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from May 30, 2015, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for a disability of the upper extremities, to include thoracic neuropathy, is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a bilateral ankle and feet disability is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.,Service connection for a bilateral leg and knee disability is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.,Service connection for a lumbar disorder, claimed as lumbar radiculopathy, is remanded as the VA examiner found a negative nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need for additional medical opinions and consideration of the TDIU claim prior to June 4, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability, which is rated at 40 percent since April 24, 2018, has been denied as the condition does not warrant an increase in rating.

Service connection for a total left knee replacement is granted.,Service connection for a total right shoulder replacement is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right ankle injury, residuals thereof, and bilateral hip replacements are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran currently has a left ankle disability related to service. The case will be reviewed again with further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as his education, skills, training, and vocational history are sufficient for sedentary-type work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to gastrointestinal disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Board has also remanded several issues for further development.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 1995 for the Veteran's entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). Effective this date, the Veteran is eligible for TDIU benefits due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating due to moderate limitation of motion.,The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating due to little or no symptoms.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling since May 13, 2011. As of November 22, 2021, he is granted a separate 30 percent rating for complete paralysis of the musculocutaneous (superficial peroneal) nerve under Diagnostic Code 8522.