Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and left ankle injury do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right ankle malleolar deformity has been rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that there is no evidence of marked ankle disability or ankylosis to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for osteochondritis dissecans of the right ankle was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a higher rating, as the disability does not meet the criteria for any specific diagnostic code under the Rating Schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, knee, shoulder (left and right), and low back disorders as secondary to his service-connected right ankle and right knee disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of low back and left ankle disabilities during the Board hearing, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability, effective October 20, 2014. The claim for service connection of the right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right ankle disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The appellant's status as a Veteran and his claims for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension have been granted. The remaining claims are pending.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability and left foot disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the cause remains unknown due to conflicting dates provided by the Veteran.,Service connection is denied for vitiligo. The cause remains unknown due to conflicting dates provided by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and shoulder disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm disability, and left leg disability remain pending as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.

The Veteran withdrew the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD during his March 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scleroderma disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was found to have moderate limitation of motion, warranting a 10% rating. The Board determined that the evidence did not support an increase in the rating.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical examinations and opinions, as well as updated VA treatment records. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grants of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are September 24, 2009.

The Veteran's back disability, arthritis, and hypertension were not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for his left ankle disability and service connection claims for lower back and right hip disabilities has been denied. The highest schedular rating available for the left ankle disability is 40 percent, which was assigned from September 1, 2008.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for initial review of new evidence and further adjudication. The Veteran's claims for service connection on various conditions are pending.