Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, but granted the reopening of claims for bilateral ankle disability and hypertension. The case was remanded for further examination and review regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound residuals of the left foot are remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, his claim for TDIU is referred to the RO for appropriate action as it may be related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition and several other conditions was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for compensation purposes, as there was no impairment of maxilla, mandible, or temporomandibular articulation resulting from in-service trauma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on his already service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's current left leg and ankle disability, claimed as compartment syndrome was incurred during or caused by his active duty service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right ankle degenerative arthritis are being remanded for further evaluation due to a worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The issues include determining appropriate disability ratings for these conditions and evaluating whether a reduction in the rating for left ankle disability from 30% to 10% was proper.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for IBS, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, hypertension, and migraine headaches. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied because the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition is related to his active duty. His claim for an increased rating for right ankle disability was also denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased initial rating of 10% for a left ankle sprain, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings prior to September 27, 2002 have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss prior to August 5, 2016, and hearing loss from August 5, 2016 onwards have all been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to effective dates.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities. The cervical spine disability is found to be related to active service, while the left hip and left ankle disabilities are not.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraine and cluster headaches, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability is granted. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, CFS, IBS, and arthritis of the back, knees, legs, and right ankle was reopened due to new evidence submitted.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the appellant's residuals of a right ankle fracture, effective July 17, 2014. The disability is characterized by pain and stiffness with occasional flare-ups.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back and cervical spine disorders, shoulder disorders, knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, TBI, headaches, and hand tremors. The Veteran's service records show in-service accidents and injuries, but further medical evaluation is required to establish a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right forearm, ankle, and knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during service. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board has restored a 30 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, effective from September 28, 2015.