Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements regarding in-service injuries and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether they are well-grounded. The claim of type II diabetes mellitus is granted as new and material evidence was received. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is also granted as new and material evidence was received. However, the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a left ankle disability, and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for residuals of TBI has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for her left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain prior to June 27, 2017 was granted.,However, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating greater than 10 percent for her left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain after June 27, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for cardiovascular disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, arthralgias, and low back disability have been granted. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, a higher rating for hypertension, the propriety of a reduction in his left ankle tendonitis evaluation, and a higher rating for right ankle limitation of motion and arthritis with right calf muscle atrophy have all been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its January 2022 remand orders and another remand of the issues is necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from August 31, 2009 to September 12, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence for a TDIU prior to October 25, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are deemed to have caused unemployability.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a 20% rating from January 20, 2021. The previous claim for an increased rating prior to that date was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment after April 2014 was not substantially gainful and he did not have physical or mental limitations preventing him from obtaining or engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to April 2014.

The Veteran's left foot disorder is not secondary to his service-connected left ankle disorder, and there is no other evidence linking the condition to his active duty.,There is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether the Veteran's current left ankle disorder was aggravated by post-service occupational duties or an intercurrent event.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left ankle condition due to inadequate opinions from previous examiners. The case is returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development and clarification of the evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from August 3, 2021. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions. From August 3, 2021 onwards, he has been granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee, hip, right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities due to service-connected conditions. The Veteran's attorney will need to provide updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits claim records. An addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's altered gait may have proximately caused or contributed to his knee, hip, right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle injury, rash, and hair loss have been granted.,Service connection was denied for hearing loss and dental condition (loss of teeth and gums).

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective May 22, 2013. The maximum schedular rating of 50% was assigned for bilateral pes planus with left foot osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right ankle ligament strain is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient rationale in the previous medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and left lower leg/ankle laceration due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being reviewed, along with his in-service diagnosis of acute anxiety reaction.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU. The Veteran's statements about his in-service injury will be considered, along with any early degeneration or arthritis.