Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various knee, ankle, hip, and back disorders have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence that would warrant the granted rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment from December 25, 2013 through September 7, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities at least as likely as not result in him needing regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability, limitation of flexion, and left ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the former or revised VA regulations.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at a 20% evaluation since April 16, 2019. The rating is based on the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is rated at a maximum of 20 percent since January 16, 2009.,Service-connected migraines are currently rated at the maximum 50 percent rating since January 16, 2009. The Veteran seeks an extraschedular rating for these symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bilateral ankle disability has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 3, 2020 is being remanded due to the need for a full employment history.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a right ankle disability. The Veteran's lower back disability and major depressive disorder are granted as secondary to his lower back disability.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right foot disability (claimed as right ankle disability) due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service, were related to in-service injuries or diseases, or had continuity of symptoms since service.,While the Veteran reported experiencing knee pain and ankle pain since service, his current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle disability due to incomplete records and need for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection of a left ankle disability, a left foot disability (to include as secondary to a service-connected condition), and a blood disorder. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar and right knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for bilateral hip, foot, and ankle disabilities is also granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shin splints, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran had not been found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 2019.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hip condition, and left ankle disorder as secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected left first MTP joint disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for consideration for TDIU prior to May 31, 2016.,From May 31, 2016, the preponderance of the evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is rated at 30% since September 4, 2019 for neurological manifestations and 30% since September 4, 2019 for orthopedic manifestations.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted with a rating of 70 percent effective June 7, 2016.,Headache syndrome is granted with a 50 percent rating effective November 9, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, require further examination and development. The case is being remanded to allow for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as the evidence did not show that he incurred a chronic disorder from faulty medical care provided by VA.