Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, pain and numbness of bilateral upper extremities, and pain and numbness of bilateral lower extremities. The decision also noted that new evidence had not been received to reopen a claim for left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left leg or left ankle disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's request for an initial compensable rating for his right ankle disability, claimed as a fibula fracture, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for left and right ankle arthritis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, hammer toe of the left foot, and hypertension. A 10% evaluation is assigned for multiple noncompensable disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324. The effective dates for these determinations are not specified as they were not provided in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's right ankle disability is found to be related to his active duty service. Service connection for joint pain, intestinal disability, skin disability, and sleep apnea are also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia, right ankle disability, and sleep apnea. The rating for sinus arrhythmia is restored to 30 percent effective December 1, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder. The Veteran's claim of service connection for gastric ulcers was also denied.,Service connection for PTSD was not granted due to lack of verified stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities. However, it was determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability. However, the cases of low back disorder and left ankle fracture secondary to right ankle disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each since December 1, 2010. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has also been granted an initial rating of 40 percent effective October 26, 2015.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee osteoarthritis was denied, and the claim for service connection of a right ankle disorder secondary to his right knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's disability ratings for left knee DJD with limited extension, right knee DJD with limited extension, and residuals of right ankle sprains were restored to their previous levels.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture with hardware placement has resulted in moderate limited motion, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a disability. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of any of the claimed conditions and has not had diagnoses at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board dismissed the claims for chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions due to withdrawal by the appellant.