Ankle decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an updated opinion regarding service connection. The issues of TDIU are also referred to the Director of Compensation & Pension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including seeking clarification from the Veteran's treating chiropractor regarding his low back disability and service connection for traumatic brain injury. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, knee and ankle injuries, a muscle disorder, diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an anxiety disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence on file, including a need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, DJD of the left ankle, chondromalacia patella of the left knee, chondromalacia patella of the right knee with degenerative changes, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not manifest during service and are not related to active service. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left elbow disability, and right ankle disability is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for low back disorder, left knee disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities), and left hip bursitis. The claim for increased ratings for left ankle sprain and left hip bursitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The Veteran's current left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, while his right ankle disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to his right ankle, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, or bilateral knee conditions that are directly attributable to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for both the right ankle and low back disability claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and whether his suicide was related to his severe chronic pain.

The Board finds that service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle is granted, as it is at least as likely as not related to service and all reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his incarceration status. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and HIV-related illness will be reconsidered in light of all new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tension headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), have been denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability warrants a rating of 20 percent since July 30, 2015. The previous rating of 10 percent prior to this date is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 that are pending before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the denial of service connection for both a right knee and right ankle disability.