Ankle decisions — 2018

The appeals regarding effective dates prior to October 30, 2006 for granting of service connection for right ankle sprain and postoperative scar of the right ankle have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral pes planus, must be remanded due to a lack of proper readjudication following previous remand orders. The Veteran's claims are related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected cervical spine, left hip, and right ankle conditions due to the passage of time since the last examinations. The VA is required to provide additional examinations to assess the current severity of these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his left and right ankle disabilities, finding no evidence of ankylosis or loss of use of his feet due to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and left ankle disability due to new evidence. However, further development is needed as VA examinations are required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, including private treatment records from various hospitals and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for heart disorders, stroke residuals, bilateral lower extremity disorders, and other conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The appeal also includes whether the reduction in his total rating for convalescence was proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle disability, headache condition, and PTSD. The decision also noted that additional issues related to these conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent prior to May 9, 2016 and is now being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an initial disability rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for unspecified metabolic syndrome, right ankle synovitis, hypertension, hypogonadism, and scars of the epigastric and sternum have been dismissed. The Veteran also had his appeal for a TBI raised but not addressed by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as a compensable rating for his residual scar. The evidence did not support an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left shoulder and right ankle disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the current 20% ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional medical opinions regarding her claimed right foot, left foot, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, low back, joint pain, eye, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated evaluations of his service-connected left ankle Charcot foot, diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA will request any additional medical records from 2010 onwards and schedule examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but remanded them due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including a request for an increased rating for his bilateral sinus tarsi syndrome with plantar fasciitis, service connection claims for right and left ankle disabilities, and service connection claims for low back and right knee conditions. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and require additional examination to address the scope of service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left ankle disability is denied as the evidence does not show moderately severe malunion or nonunion of the metatarsal bone, and her disability more closely represents 'moderate' residuals.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which includes ankylosis and limited motion, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for low back disability, left knee and right knee disabilities, left leg disability (other than left knee), right fibular fracture, and left ankle disability. The remand requires additional opinions from VA clinicians regarding these claims.