Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain is granted an evaluation of 40 percent, effective May 16, 2014. The right ankle disability with degenerative arthritis is granted a 30 percent evaluation beginning April 26, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of recurrent lumbar strain, residuals of right knee surgery, and recurrent synovitis of the left ankle have been remanded.,Issues related to PTSD, TDIU, service connection for lumbar strain, right knee surgery, and recurrent synovitis of the left ankle are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, neck, back, ankle, and foot conditions, made it impossible for him to engage in substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU on an accrued basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to provide more detailed information about the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right thumb and little finger trauma residuals, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and bowel disorder with constipation. The case requires further examination to determine the etiology of these disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin rashes, right ankle osteophyte, chronic fatigue syndrome (as secondary to depressive disorder), PTSD, and functional gastrointestinal disorder including IBS have been granted. The decision also dismisses the claim of service connection for sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The Veteran’s right ankle disability was granted a rating of 20 percent effective February 3, 2016.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an eye disorder due to the presence of multiple current diagnoses.,Other issues related to knee and ankle rheumatoid arthritis have also been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right ankle is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disability, migraine headaches (as proximately due to or caused by service-connected tinnitus), and left ankle and depression disabilities. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and increased ratings for left ear hearing loss disability and limitation of left hip flexion are deferred until further notice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right wrist, finger, neck, left leg, right leg, left knee, right knee, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities are denied as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic disability in any of these areas.,Service connection for headache (including migraines), bipolar disorder, and eating disorder were also denied due to lack of evidence supporting the presence of such conditions during service or their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of various disabilities, including sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, chronic sinusitis, stress incontinence, residuals from cervical biopsies, and alopecia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to inadequate recent VA examinations. The Veteran will need new evaluations to determine current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral heel pain and swelling, right ankle impingement, and left ankle impingement have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for left hip, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to the lack of current diagnoses prior to the Veteran's filing of claims.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability has been granted. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are still pending.

Service connection for a left knee disability has been granted.,Secondary service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been granted as it is related to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and a combined disability rating of 80 percent due to procedural issues. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination.