Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction due to a need for new VA examination and additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ankle disorder have been rated appropriately, with the PTSD receiving a 50% rating and the left ankle disorder receiving a 10% rating. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and bilateral ankle myofascial syndrome are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting further medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed low back, right ankle, and depression disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of a service-connected condition upon which to base secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, to include bilateral ankles and elbows, does not meet the criteria for service connection. However, the Board has found that the Veteran's arthritis of the left and right shoulders was incurred during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a left eye disorder, bilateral ankle and hip disorders, sleep disorder, appendix disorder, right shoulder disorder, heart disorder, and finger disorder. The Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of low back, right leg radiculopathy, upper back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in his VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability did not have its onset during military service and is not otherwise related to such service. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the increased rating claim for chronic soft tissue strain of the right ankle. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle osteoarthritis is not etiologically related to his in-service left ankle injury while playing basketball, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea disability began during, or was otherwise caused by, his active duty service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus at least as likely as not caused his current back, right and left knee, and right and left ankle disabilities. As a result, these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia, including his bilateral foot, right ankle, and thoracic spine disabilities, is rated at 60 percent from July 23, 2002 to July 23, 2003. The Board granted the increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his left ankle disability, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA medical examiner to address whether the Veteran's bilateral ankle and shoulder disabilities are secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking clarification on the status of her claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and an addendum opinion regarding his hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disability. Additionally, new medical opinions are needed to assess whether his claimed low back disability, left ankle disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral knee disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.