Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left achilles tendonitis was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating based on marked limitation of motion. However, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective September 24, 2012, as he met the schedular criteria with his combined service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a joint pain disability other than of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knees, or right hand is remanded due to inadequate examination and compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for his right knee and ankle disabilities have been denied. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has remanded the TDIU claim, which is pending on remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's work capacity prior to July 28, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for clarification on the onset of the Veteran's right ankle disability, as well as whether it is related to service-connected bilateral knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability, left ankle disability, and gout.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Board did not adequately address his work history and employment status, which could affect his eligibility for a TDIU. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted. Claims for other conditions were denied or remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's statements about an in-service injury and pain since then are credible and consistent with the evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a higher evaluation for the residuals of right ankle fracture and for Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability and for ratings in excess of 20 percent for left elbow osteoarthritis and 10 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis, finding that the preponderance of evidence was against his claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to October 3, 2019. Since then, a rating of 20 percent has been granted effective from October 3, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle pain, finding no causal relationship to his military service and concluding there is no diagnosed disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left ankle disability and PTSD due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection and inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's hemorrhoids and left ankle disability. The issues include determining appropriate ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disability and left ankle disability have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that led to the current conditions.,For his back pain, the Veteran has not met the criteria for a rating greater than 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral ankle disabilities due to insufficient etiological opinions in the October 2017 VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide a clear history of his symptoms' onset, and an orthopedic examination should be scheduled.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 31, 2017. From July 31, 2017, his combined disability rating is 100%, but he does not have a single disability rated at least 60% disabling or one disability rated at least 40% disabling and the evidence does not indicate total unemployability due to one disability.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals regarding his right knee and left knee disability ratings, as well as his claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The case is now remanded to obtain a new medical opinion on the issue of service connection for a left ankle disability.