Ankle Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, finding that there was no current disability and no in-service injury or disease related to his ankles.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was part and parcel of his underlying claim of entitlement to increased ratings for his shoulder condition. The Board denied the TDIU as it appears that the Veteran was gainfully employed, although there is incomplete information regarding the precise dates of employment and whether such was gainful.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and right ankle strain due to inadequate development in previous examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left shoulder DJD and left ankle fracture are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in the past.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was denied. The right ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, with no evidence of marked interference with employment or exceptional circumstances warranting extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various lower limb conditions due to inadequate medical opinions and further examination is required.

The Veteran's right ankle injury is rated at 20 percent since November 24, 2020. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and left ankle disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees and blurred vision. The remaining claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew her claims for service connection and evaluations related to various conditions, including constipation, left ankle fracture, fatigue and insomnia, cervical spine disability, ganglion cyst of the left knee, allergic rhinitis, lumbosacral strain, lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle surgery.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not related to his military service and is more likely due to alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The claim of entitlement to TDIU since July 12, 2017 is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to in-service exposure or other environmental factors.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examinations in previous remands. The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis of various interphalangeal and metacarpal phalangeal joints, and plantar and posterior heel spurs; left ankle strain; and right ankle strain need to be re-evaluated.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including degenerative changes and tibial neuropathy, has resulted in no more than moderate limitation of motion. The Board denied a higher rating for the residuals of the right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a rating of 40% from August 1, 2012 to August 3, 2019. Since then, the claim for a higher rating has been denied. The right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities have also had their ratings denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle recurrent sprains and calcification or ossification adjacent to the medial malleolus, as well as degenerative arthritis of both the right and left knees, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression. The decision is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection was not granted as there is no diagnosed current right ankle disability or mental health condition related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right ankle disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.