Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU on a schedular basis from November 20, 2020 due to new evidence received after the previous SSOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional information regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for an infectious disease, specifically Q fever, and a right ankle disorder. The issues have been returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for mixed sleep apnea was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition. His claims for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and left knee disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to evidence of worsening since his last VA examination. The cases are being returned for further evaluation and potential additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis but has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle conditions secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, granting the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has not addressed the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, as a VA examination is needed to determine if PTSD or another diagnosed condition is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than March 18, 2004 for service connection of patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and left knee, as well as a right ankle sprain, have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 7, 2013 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle strain and tendinitis, thoracolumbar spine disability, and residuals of malaria. The issues related to hypertension, liver disorder, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, varicose veins, lymphadenopathy, right hand disability, left hand disability, left hip disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and skin disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity varicosities, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the issues of service connection for these conditions will be addressed.

The Veteran's low back and left ankle disabilities were not incurred in service, and the Board dismissed the appeals for these issues.

The Veteran's right wrist scar and ischemic heart disease are not rated higher. The Board has remanded the issues of initial higher ratings for these conditions, as well as the issue of a TDIU prior to September 17, 2010.

The Veteran's thoracic strain, headaches, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left hand disability, right hand disability, and left knee disability are granted. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, and heart disability (BAV disease) are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability but has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at a combined 80 percent and 90 percent from October 17, 2017. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period. However, the claims for increase in right ankle disability and SMC for loss of use of the right foot remain pending as they were not fully adjudicated.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the examination report and lack of information regarding flare-ups. The Veteran's left ankle condition, including leg shortening and neurological residuals, will need to be evaluated again.