Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle and foot DJD is granted a 20 percent rating as of February 2, 2013. The right ankle and foot DJD does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. Both left and right ankle TTS are granted a 20 percent rating as of April 24, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not reach the level of equipoise as to whether he requires aid and attendance or is permanently housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to January 23, 2020, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further development.,The VA examiner did not diagnose the Veteran with an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression. The appeal is also remanded for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability. The other issues on appeal have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle, bilateral knees, back, bilateral bunions, and bilateral hammertoes due to a lack of relevant medical records from UCLA in the 1970s. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability may also be considered as it relates to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its November 2020 remand directives regarding obtaining service personnel records and private medical records. The Veteran's left ankle condition, lower back condition, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip conditions due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or as a result of her active military service.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, chronic/recurrent is granted a 10 percent rating. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the cases of left ankle and left knee disorders due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound basis is denied as he does not have any disability rated at 100 percent disabling, including a single disability on which total disability rating (TDIU) may be based.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, bilateral ankle conditions as there is no competent evidence of a current disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, osteoarthritis of the right and left ankles, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and rating for the Veteran's conditions due to his death prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for a right rib fracture, service connection for hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, a right hip disability, and left hip disability have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for neck, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities, as the VA examinations conducted did not include both weight bearing and non-weight bearing range of motion assessments. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain these evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address instability of the right ankle. The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right ankle disability is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of service connection for bilateral shin splints, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and anger disorder) are now before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in some cases and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for pneumonia and a right ankle condition due to the Veteran's death.