Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, and hip disorders as well as radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The issues are related to her service-connected chronic mild lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient for SMC based on need for regular A&A. The VA is instructed to schedule a VA SMC A&A/Housebound examination to determine if the Veteran requires assistance with ADLs.

The Board denied a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to August 14, 2020 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and right ankle degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 7, 2019. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for her right ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, and the current 20% rating is the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left ankle, left knee, or heart disabilities. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU as of April 11, 2017 and from August 1, 2015 to April 10, 2017. The claim for TDIU prior to August 1, 2015 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot disability is secondary to his service-connected right foot and ankle disability.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for his service-connected disabilities from October 31, 2016 to February 28, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis was granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent.,Service connection claims for bilateral wrist condition, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral ankle condition were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of varicose veins of the right lower extremity was dismissed. For his left ankle sprain, a rating in excess of 10 percent is granted as of January 17, 2018. Service connection for left shoulder strain is also granted.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for a RIGHT shoulder disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrists; service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability; an initial rating greater than 10 percent for a LEFT ankle disability; and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists. The remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence, including VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and total disability due to individual unemployability. The remaining claims, including those related to bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, cervical spine disability, petit mal seizures, TBI, right ankle and knee disabilities, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disability, are remanded as additional medical examinations or opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and adjudication, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's appeal is currently in the process of being addressed.

The Board has granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent under the old version of DC 5271. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The issues include increased rating for left ankle disability, service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, and TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disorder. The left ankle disorder issue is remanded due to lack of evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination of the Veteran's left ankle disability and a need for updated treatment records.