Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gouty arthritis of the left ankle, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and mild anterior wedging of L1 with disc space narrowing of the lumbar spine at L1-L4 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inextricability of bilateral ankle and pes planus claims, and for additional examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ankle sprain and rhinitis.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for a right knee condition, right ankle condition, GERD, and lower back condition are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of various disabilities due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether his service-connected bilateral ankle condition aggravated his bilateral knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for her left ankle fracture prior to February 9, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been dismissed. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches should be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral knee disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for low back disability due to insufficient evidence showing a relationship between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date earlier than March 27, 2015 for the award of an increased 20 percent rating for left knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for left knee PFPS and right ankle disorder are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denials of service connection for various disabilities and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The denial of the right ankle disability claim is based on lack of evidence linking it to service, while the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss is due to credible reports of noise exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability and a bilateral ankle disability, finding that the Veteran did not have any diagnosed conditions underpinning his claims. The evidence showed no in-service manifestations or diagnoses of these disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee condition, urticaria with pruritus, and bilateral ankle condition due to new and material evidence. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities were reopened, but the appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral ankle condition, hypertension, bilateral blindness, and right lung lesions due to outstanding VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records not being obtained.

The Board has remanded the cases due to an unresolved issue regarding whether there is new and material evidence to reopen claims of service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The cases will be returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left ankle disability is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Service connection is also granted for back, right ankle, eye, sinus, and COPD disabilities. However, rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of colon cancer remains remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder and granted a 10% rating for psoriasis since October 22, 2014. The denial was based on the lack of current disability for the left ankle disorder and insufficient evidence to support an increased rating for psoriasis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability and migraine headaches due to a lack of evidence of current disabilities. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.