Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle and bilateral knee conditions have worsened, and his hip and thumb disabilities are being evaluated further to determine their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder conditions as well as a low back condition due to insufficient evidence on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran must be provided with another VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for gout, a foot disability (claimed as trench foot), left ankle disabilities, right ankle disabilities, left knee disabilities, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of marked limitation of motion.,For the period prior to August 23, 2017, the Veteran's low back strain disability warrants a 20 percent rating based on moderate limitation of flexion. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the evidence showing at worst forward flexion to 60 degrees with pain.,Since August 23, 2017, the Veteran's low back strain disability does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating as there is no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting specific criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and right ankle disability. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, left ankle DJD, and right heel fractures. The TDIU claim is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities, hypertension, and other conditions have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was denied due to his failure to submit requested evidence and information. The Board also remanded several service connection claims, including gout, thoracolumbar spine disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle strain and lumbar arthritis, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by marked limitation of motion, and the Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms of right hip, left hip, right lower extremity sciatica, and left lower extremity sciatica are part of her service-connected meralgia paresthetica (MP) disability. Therefore, these conditions cannot be separately service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, including osteoarthritis and lateral collateral ligament sprain, is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury in April 1988. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot tendonitis and bilateral ankle disorder (Achilles tendinitis) as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any diagnosed condition began during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The new evidence submitted since the May 2001 denial confirms that the Veteran currently suffers from these conditions.,The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion in the July 2014 VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion. The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine if a separate compensable rating is warranted for instability, and to consider the new rating criteria effective February 7, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle fracture, left shoulder dislocations with mild arthritis, and impairment of the left humerus were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.