Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of decisions. The Board found that uniform evaluations are warranted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with both the sciatic and femoral nerves.

The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional development and clarification of certain claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring that all issues are properly adjudicated.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 17, 2010, based on his service-connected knee, back, and ankle disabilities.,The Veteran is not eligible for SMC at the housebound rate as he does not have additional service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's service connection claims are granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and other conditions. The appeal is based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing appropriate duty to assist notice, scheduling VA examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral foot disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.,The Veteran's claim for an eye disorder remains pending due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1975 to 1976 and from 1987 to 1989. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after completion of this development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claims for right and left ankle disabilities. The evidence now supports a finding of service connection based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and residuals of right ankle sprain, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, or left foot disability. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is manifested by pain and no more than a moderate amount of limitation of motion, which does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for a left ankle disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is found to be service-connected. The COPD, low back disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders are not found to be service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, residuals of right ankle injury, and residuals of left ankle injury. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea, with the condition being presumed to have had its onset during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, a left toe condition, and residuals of prostate surgery. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation, and he meets the criteria for TDIU as of June 12, 2015.