Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle disability renders him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to the need for controlled substances (Methadone and Oxycodone) that cause drowsiness, leading to frequent falls. The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals injury of right ankle is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 27, 2020 and denied for a higher rating. From October 27, 2020, the disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate examinations in both cases, including a lack of proper consideration of the Veteran's in-service complaints.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for low back, bilateral leg, and bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left leg amputation and traumatic brain injury, meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to permanent total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to March 28, 2018 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, hip, ankle, and shoulder disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability due to inadequate VA examination and development. The Veteran contends his current right ankle disability is related to multiple ankle sprains during service, including one in December 1998 while playing basketball.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and lumbar spine disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. Additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a right knee disability secondary to a left knee disability. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disability and left ankle disability due to insufficient evidence, including the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee disorder, left shoulder strain, bilateral pes planus, and left foot hallux valgus have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to greater than 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder, service connection for alcohol abuse, hypertension secondary to psychiatric disorder, and degenerative joint disease of ankles.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 30, 2018 due to the Veteran's left ankle disability. The case is referred to the Director for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities have been denied. Service connection has also been denied for a leg disability.

The Board dismissed all appeals for increased ratings and effective date claims related to various conditions, including cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, posttraumatic degenerative changes of the right ankle, right shoulder rotator cuff strain/tendonitis, degenerative changes of the left knee, degenerative changes of the right knee, sciatic nerve radiculopathies in both lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to grant service connection for the claimed conditions, and thus remands are ordered for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right foot/ankle disability is related to service, including his prior fractures and pes planus.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has worsened, and he needs a current VA examination to assess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for post-operative scars from right ankle and left humerus surgeries are granted effective January 7, 2014, to May 20, 2021.,For the period since May 21, 2021, a higher rating is denied as there is no evidence of deep or non-linear scars or functional limitation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and outstanding records. The TDIU claim is deferred until the AOJ completes the requested actions.