Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shin splints and right ankle injury were granted. The claims for bilateral pes planus and skin disorder (including onychomycosis and pseudofolliculitis barbae) are pending, with the latter two requiring further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 12, 2015, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder for further development. The Veteran's claims are related to service exposure and functional impairment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military noise exposure during service. The left ankle and/or foot disorder (claimed as left ankle sprain) and right shoulder disorder are remanded for further development.,Service connection for a dental condition (teeth and mouth pain) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her left ankle disorder, neck/cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. However, these claims are remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle and neck disabilities, as well as his claim for a higher rating for right ankle disability. The appeals are dismissed due to the full benefits sought on appeal being granted in September 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether her right ankle disability was caused or aggravated by her service-connected left ankle disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 29, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's testimony regarding his conditions is considered, but further evidence is required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his right ankle disability, including entitlement to a higher rating and restoration of the previously reduced rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for gout was dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen the previously disallowed claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the bilateral ankles, painful neck, and PTSD were granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral lateral collateral ligament sprain, claimed as ankle pain. The evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination reports. The case is also remanded for a determination on whether he should be granted TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TBI residuals and left shoulder myofascial pain were aggravated during her period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).,PTSD due to MST is considered in equipoise with the evidence, as are right and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, right ankle, and scar on the right hand disorders due to incomplete records. Further development is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities did not have their onset in service, were not aggravated by service, and are not otherwise related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 28, 2018 was denied as he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with TBI, shoulder impingement syndrome, and osteoarthritis of the left ankle, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).