Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for left hip condition, right hip condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of his death. Increased ratings for residuals of cold injuries to bilateral lower extremities are granted and earlier effective dates are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support her assertions of in-service injury or a current disability related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to his service. The Veteran reported an in-service injury, but did not seek treatment and now claims he has had discomfort since then.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, right ankle disability, and ulcers as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear examination regarding the service-connected left foot chronic peroneal tendinitis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further review, including consideration of whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted and if a TDIU should be granted. The Veteran's right ankle disability affects his ability to work due to pain and decreased range of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and an opinion regarding whether her service-connected disabilities render her permanently and totally disabled.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ankle condition is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's skin growths claim was denied. The cervical spine disability and anxiety disorder, NOS with PTSD symptoms ratings were restored to their previous levels. The right ankle disability rating remains at 10%. Effective dates for the increased ratings are not granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to several issues, including service connection for left lower extremity disorders and chronic kidney disease. The Veteran's current service-connected condition does not support a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of audiometry findings.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The cases of right knee and right ankle conditions, as well as the claim for a higher rating for left lateral malleolus avulsion fracture are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder, bilateral knee, right ankle, and neck disorders due to new and material evidence submitted since the April 2005 rating decision. However, further development is needed as the VA examiners did not consider all relevant in-service treatment records and the nature of the current disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which was rated at 20 percent prior to the July 2015 rating decision, is now rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's left lower extremity external cutaneous nerve damage and popliteal nerve damage are both rated at their maximum of 10 percent and 30 percent respectively.

Your claim for service connection regarding hernia has been reopened and is being remanded to determine if your current diagnosis of inguinal hernia is related to your active duty service.,Your claims for service connection regarding low back disability, left ankle disability, and right knee disability have also been reopened and are being remanded to determine the relationship between these conditions and your active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to provide notice regarding alternative sources of evidence for her PTSD claim.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and a chronic disability involving the knees and ankles, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder (claimed as depression with suicidal tendencies) was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His left ankle strain is also granted, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.