Ankle Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, particularly regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability. The issues of service connection and nonservice-connected pension benefits are intertwined.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent prior to June 28, 2016 and denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent on and after September 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral ankle arthritis, low back strain, right bicep injury, and right foot scar, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 18, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially his left ankle disability, have rendered him unemployable since March 1, 2009. The Board has determined that a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis is warranted for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the Veteran's record regarding the onset of his ankle conditions during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The claim for increased rating of IBS to 30 percent was granted effective January 11, 2021. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle disability remains pending.

The Veteran's left hip disability, bilateral knee degenerative changes, left ankle osteoarthritis, and right foot disabilities are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right ankle and right lower extremity neuropathy disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for her right foot disability, which may be impacted by her neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to inadequate examinations and because of the possibility that the Veteran's ankle disability may affect his ability to work, which is relevant to the TDIU claim. The issues include a higher rating for an ankle fracture and scars, as well as a TDIU determination.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and granted a temporary 10% rating for conjunctivitis since February 3, 2015. The right and left ankle disabilities are remanded.,Service connection is not established for the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle disability due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since July 21, 2017. Service connection for HPV and sleep apnea are granted. The remaining issues (neck disability, low back disability, seizures of the left/right side of the body, right ankle disability, migraine headaches, and tremors) remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unemployable at any point during the appeal period.

Your appeals for depression and a left ankle disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and treatment records, as well as clarification of the need for additional diagnostic testing. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. Service connection was granted for acid reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for a low back disorder remains denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder unspecified depression, which causes him to be likely precluded from substantial and gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are not related to service, including herbicide exposure or an in-service lightning strike. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.,The Veteran's GERD is also not related to service, specifically his presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for this condition is remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as the evidence is insufficient to determine his employment history and educational background.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Board finds that there may be pathology beyond what is contemplated by the schedular criteria and which may interfere with his employment opportunities.