Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ankle and foot disability and left hip disability.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury and there is no continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee. The issues of service connection for a left knee disorder and a left ankle disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits was denied because the Board found that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience, given his fault in creating the debt, unjust enrichment, and lack of relinquishment of valuable rights.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and thus the claims were not reopened or granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this requirement.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle and bilateral knee conditions are being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities, as well as for obtaining any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, low back condition, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right ankle, left ankle, and bilateral pes planus are related to his military service, specifically his in-service parachute jumps. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since August 22, 2012. The rating is based on marked limitation of motion without evidence of ankylosis or malunion of the tibia and fibula.

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,A cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral knee gouty arthritis as secondary to service-connected gout is granted.,Service connection for left ankle gouty arthritis as secondary to service-connected gout is granted.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, collarbone, cervical spine, right ankle, bilateral big toe, and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current disorders are not related to his in-service injury and do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including for service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran will need updated VA examinations and verification of his Reserve duty periods.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability was reopened but not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused damage to his clothing, and the Board granted a clothing allowance for 2014.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot/ankle condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an examination.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking service connection for various disabilities, but the AOJ must first determine her eligibility to substitute as claimant and then consider the claims based on evidence of record at the time of his death.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not compensable.,Service connection for a right leg disability, left leg disability, lower back disability, and right ankle disability are all denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left knee disorder, respiratory disorder (chronic cough), and right ankle disorder. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations.