Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as well as his entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 11, 2020. The issues have been returned to the RO for further review.

The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU from February 25, 2008 due to the appellant's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,The appellant's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability manifested by hypothyroidism was denied because the VA examiner found no indication that the Veteran's use of amiodarone caused his condition.,The appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to failure to remove a surgical clip in the left lower ankle and staple in the lower left leg were denied as the VA examiner found no evidence that the Veteran experienced an event not reasonably foreseeable or fault on the part of VA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot, right ankle, and left leg disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's GERD is rated 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee strain with instability and shin splints, left knee strain with limitation of flexion, right knee strain with instability and shin splints, and right knee strain with limitation of flexion are all rated 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions warrant higher ratings.,The Veteran's left ankle sprain and right ankle sprain are both rated 10 percent disabling. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions warrant higher ratings.,The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative arthritis is rated 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if this rating is appropriate.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated 10 percent disabling. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these ratings are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, low back condition, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, erectile dysfunction, right ankle condition, and sleep apnea and associated sleeping disorder. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a left ankle disability due to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, left ankle, and right ankle disorders as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptoms or direct service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral elbow, shoulder, wrist, hip, and ankle disabilities.,The Board also dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including arthritis and foot issues. The Board found that further examination was needed as a result of the July 2021 Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR).

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain missing service treatment records and private medical records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have gastroenteritis that was incurred in or due to his time in service. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded as updated examinations are needed.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection as a presumptive condition due to his Gulf War service. His right and left ankle disabilities are granted an initial rating of 10 percent each.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right ankle disorder, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for right knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of marked limitation of motion or ankylosis to warrant higher evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a right ankle fracture and testicular cancer. The decision is binding only with respect to these specific matters.

The Veteran's kidney disability, inversion injury to the left ankle, and hypertension have been denied. The inversion injury to the left ankle and hypertension are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.,Prior to March 21, 2019, the Veteran met the schedular requirements for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding no evidence linking it to active duty service or any other related conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to depressive disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the knees, ankles, hips, and fingers, Hepatitis C, or a heart disability is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee strain are granted as service connected.,Service connection for the right ankle disability, characterized as Achilles tendon tear and instability of the right ankle, is denied.