Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left ankle and right wrist disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for depressive disorder is dismissed. The ratings for right hip bursitis and tendonitis, as well as right ankle disability, are restored to their previous levels.

The Veteran's right ankle strain was denied a compensable rating prior to November 13, 2009 and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from January 1, 2010 to February 28, 2022. A 20 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's right ankle strain starting March 1, 2022.,The Veteran's left ankle strain was denied a compensable rating prior to April 10, 2010 and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from June 1, 2010. The appeal for the left ankle strain is dismissed as it does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a nexus between his in-service consumption of starchy food and his current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II, nor could it be presumed as chronic or continuous due to lack of in-service manifestations. The remaining issues were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from January 30, 2018, to April 2, 2020.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the right ankle disability and service connection for tinnitus. The other issues are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as a systolic ejection heart murmur. The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,For the remaining issues of service connection for left and right ankle conditions, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected status post open reduction, internal fixation of the pelvis, to include low back pain and stiffness, has at least as likely as not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees since July 19, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture, to include early arthrosis with achilles tendonitis, has not resulted in marked limitation of motion or any degree of ankylosis at any point in the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound due to insufficient medical evidence linking the Veteran's current foot conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's headaches were granted as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's ankle disabilities or carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the specified periods, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's right ankle strain due to degenerative changes with calcaneal spur is now rated at 20 percent effective September 2, 2021. His left knee osteoarthritis with instability has been granted a separate 10 percent rating from September 2, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various service-connected conditions, including a higher rating for posterior fossa tumor ependymoma and left wrist neuropathy, as well as claims for earlier effective dates. The AOJ has remanded several of these issues due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limited motion of the ankle. The Veteran also has a noncompensable rating for his right ankle neuritis. His request for a compensable rating for surgical scars was denied. The Board found that further development is needed for the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability necessitates the need for aid and attendance, thus SMC based on this condition is granted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for housebound status due to his TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for various conditions and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed to determine if he currently has these conditions or if they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's left leg and ankle disabilities. As a result, these issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes an arthrodesis and arthritis, is rated at 30 percent since February 24, 2022. The rating reflects the current functional limitations of the ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, coronary artery disease, and hypertension due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.