Ankle decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service-connected, and he is granted a compensable rating of 20 percent for hemorrhoids. The initial ratings for his right knee and left knee disabilities are also granted at 30 percent each. For migraine headaches, an initial rating of 50 percent is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further verification of the Veteran's service dates and National Guard records, as well as a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating, service connection for tinnitus, and TDIU were denied. The decision does not address the issue of whether a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran is granted separate 10% ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle, each effective June 1, 2008.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected left ankle disability have been granted and are set at 20 percent from February 1, 2006 to October 18, 2006, and 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Right Foot Disorder, and Right Ankle Disorder are denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right ankle scars, capsulitis of the right ankle, low back strain and hepatitis C, do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to their combined effect.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and rhinitis, assigned initial noncompensable disability ratings to the Veteran's migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral knee strains, bilateral ankle strains, hypertension, and anxiety disorder (NOS), and increased the rating for migraine headaches since May 14, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his left ankle disability, including arthritis and Achilles tendinopathy with scars, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the scars.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a left ankle injury. The VA examiners are requested to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of bilateral ankle sprains, right knee disorder, and bilateral pes planus have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection has also been granted for chronic obstructive sleep apnea, but the claim remains pending as new evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development. The issues of service connection for onychomycosis, lymphedema with cellulitis of the lower extremities (secondary to residuals of fracture of the left ankle), and residuals of fracture of the right ankle are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his service-connected wrist and ankle tendonitis, as well as elbow epicondylitis, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms or functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate responses in previous opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for depression and osteoarthritis of the right knee, as well as his claim for TDIU, are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has decided the case needs further examination and review, including a new opinion on hepatitis C service connection. The right ankle disorder issue is held in abeyance until the hepatitis C issue is resolved.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right ankle disorder, which he claims is related to an in-service injury. He also contends that his current right ankle disorder may be secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be decided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection for a right ankle disability.