Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence linking his current disabilities to military service, including herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for TDIU as he had multiple service-connected disabilities rated at 90% combined.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, shin splints (left and right legs), right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The reasons provided include lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology, absence of a nexus to service, and no aggravation by service-connected inguinal hernia.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings higher than 10 percent for left ankle tendonitis and status post fracture of the right ankle with tendonitis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right, left shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, right and left hip disorders, right and left knee disorders, and right and left ankle disorders due to in-service repetitive loading of heavy loads from HEMTTs or rocket tubes. The appeals are now pending with VA for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for new examinations to evaluate his low back, ankle, radiculopathy, neck, elbow, and upper extremity disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted, but his other conditions are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, a right hip disorder, a left knee disorder, and a right ankle disorder as these conditions are not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability. The Veteran is asked to provide a new medical opinion that considers his complete history and reports of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, right elbow arthritis, and right wrist arthritis. The reasons include the need to obtain VA treatment records and VRE records, as well as a new VA examination to assess current right extremity joint conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from being able to work in an office setting.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various disabilities, including right and left ankle bursitis, OCD with major depressive disorder, anemia, and restless leg syndrome, were remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left ankle disability, service connection for right and left leg disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left ankle sprain or service connection for the right and left leg disabilities. The back and hip conditions were remanded due to insufficient information on their relationship with service. The Veteran's right and left hand disabilities were also remanded as they may be related to congenital defects, but further clarification is needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations, including a failure to provide an adequate VA examination in compliance with Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) and Correia v. McDonald (2016). The claims for increased ratings are remanded as well as the extraschedular rating claim.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disability was denied. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including back and right ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, and right heel disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the September 2017 VA examination report. The matter will be returned for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right shoulder, right wrist, and right ankle disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding when and how these conditions were caused or aggravated. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide supplemental opinions on whether the Veteran’s current disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,The Board has also remanded the claim for compensation for bladder cancer pursuant to 38 U.S.C. §1151 due to a lack of rationale regarding whether a nerve cluster was severed during surgery and if VA's care caused additional disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to the complexity of his medical history and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a tremor disorder and dry mouth, as well as an increased rating for right fibula fracture with traumatic arthritis, right ankle with scar.,No effective date is assigned in this decision.