Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups of the Veteran's left ankle disability. The VA examiner was unable to provide an estimate of range of motion during flare-ups without resorting to speculation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions and additional evidence is needed.

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

The Board denied service connection for treatment purposes under Chapter 17 for a right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence of current disabilities.,The issues of service connection for TBI, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left ankle condition and back disorder due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service-connected injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including jumping from aircraft during service.

The Veteran's request for a restoration of a 20% rating for his right ankle injury, to include degenerative changes, as of July 1, 2010, is granted. A rating in excess of 20% for the same condition remains denied.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain was granted a higher initial rating from 10% to 30%, effective June 6, 2016. Service connection for left inguinal hernia and other secondary service connection claims were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral knee disabilities. The conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for tinnitus and right ankle disability due to a lack of VA examination opinions. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity for an examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from December 20, 2013 to August 9, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU based solely on his PTSD during this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, back, right ankle, and allergic skin disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding records.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with ankylosis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective October 6, 2021. A separate 10 percent rating for right ankle instability has also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his employment, which precludes him from meeting the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's left second metacarpal fracture is granted a rating of at least 10 percent from May 19, 2017. The Board has remanded cases for service connection and evaluation of other conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hypertension, and further examinations are needed to determine if his current shoulder, knee, ankle, or foot conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has found that the requested development for an extraschedular evaluation and TDIU determination has not been completed, and thus the claims are being remanded once again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to lack of VA examinations and new evidence.