Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine, left knee, left ankle, and eye disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service or relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for gout, but the claims for back disability, right elbow disability, left ankle disability, and groin strain disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the highest level of aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for such benefit under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (r).

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The initial compensable rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a left ankle disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine DJD and IVDS, left knee DJD, right knee DJD, and right ankle tendonitis as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right hip fracture has been reopened and granted. The claims for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right ankle arthritis are still pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for left lower extremity scars and associated ankle scars due to incomplete information in the examination reports. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being evaluated again.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 10 percent since April 6, 2009. The left ankle scar is currently rated at 10 percent. The left torn Achilles tendon and bilateral pes planus disabilities are both rated at 10 percent. The right knee DJD is rated at 30 percent. The decision does not address the left knee strain.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left ankle disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is denied. An initial 40 percent evaluation has been granted for lumbosacral spine spondylosis.,Issues regarding service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, and left foot disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee osteoarthritis, PTSD, CAD, right ankle osteoarthritis, and shrapnel wound scars, are rated at a combined 90 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their severity and nature.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, gastritis/GERD, and PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders, were not adjudicated in the July 2018 rating decision. The Board has referred these issues to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, increased rating for left knee degenerative osteophytosis, and a compensable rating for his left ankle condition are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a low back disorder as moot because it was granted by the RO in September 2016.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking current condition to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right ear hearing loss, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis (right shoulder disability), right ankle strain, left ankle strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), left knee PFS, right elbow olecranon bursitis (right elbow disability), lumbar spine disability with Scheuermann's kyphosis (lumbar spine disability), right hip strain with limitation of extension and flexion, left hip strain with limitation of extension and flexion, bilateral pes planus, left ear hearing loss, and tension headaches. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the service connection claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right ankle condition is related to his service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.,Multiple issues regarding hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.