Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right fibula and ankle disability has caused significant functional impairment, preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 21, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to April 18, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show that her hemorrhoids met the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists were remanded due to incomplete records. The claim for residuals of a right ankle fracture was also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 11, 2021 was remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include ratings for various disabilities related to TBI, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left thumb sprain, right thumb disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, eye disability, ulnar nerve paresthesias, ankle and wrist disabilities, nausea, constipation, and other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is more likely age-related and not related to his military service.,For the right ankle disability, the Board denied service connection, stating that there were no complaints or findings of an ankle issue during active service or shortly after discharge. The x-ray showed a minor osteochondral lesion suggestive of tendonitis but did not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, bruised ribs and right kidney disorder, pain in eyes to include seeing floaters, tinnitus, poor blood circulation (hands & feet blotchy), migraine headaches, and bilateral hand tremors are all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine, headaches (as secondary to a cervical spine condition), lumbar spine, and right ankle conditions have been granted service connection. The left ankle condition has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right ankle sprain and anxiety disorder, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed eye disorders. The Veteran is also entitled to a remand for service connection on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD and physical conditions like shoulder and back scarring, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a left ankle fracture, to include as due to a right knee disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence considered.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and left knee disabilities based on a finding of in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability. The issue will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's DVT with post-thrombotic syndrome and chronic venous insufficiency of the left lower extremity, pulmonary embolism, and a left ankle disability were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.,The Veteran's DVT with post-thrombotic syndrome and chronic venous insufficiency of the right lower extremity is unclear if it was caused by the left leg DVT. The examiner should clarify this.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left ankle disability has been denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis, which is required to rate under Diagnostic Code 5270. The highest permissible rating based on limitation of motion is 20 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The decision finds that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 13, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle, right knee, left knee, left hip and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, with the effective date set at September 14, 2006. SMC based on housebound status and need for regular aid and attendance are denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 1, 2008 for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since December 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of explanation regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, ankle, and hand conditions.