Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and further review is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition and a left hamstring tear as there was no evidence of current disability during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and left ankle disabilities are also being remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including Lyme disease, respiratory disability, endocarditis, gall bladder condition, chronic diarrhea, urinary stricture, and joint pain. Service connection was granted for a neurological disability due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands, low back disorder, hypertension, varicose veins, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and left foot disorder are all remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (pes planus), and right varicose veins are not addressed as they do not involve secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for headaches as the Veteran did not present evidence of a current disability and no nexus to service. The right ankle rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, but restored due to lack of proper procedural steps.,For the period prior to April 27, 2016, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his disabilities affected a single body system and were severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection.,Other conditions, including right hand surgery residuals, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, and right flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, are also granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied, while his right ankle disability rating reduction from 30% to 10% was granted. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left ankle disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues of service connection, including for lower back, right shoulder, right hip, right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle disability, finding no chronic left ankle condition shown in service or within one year post-service. The VA examiners' opinions against a nexus between current left ankle arthritis and service were considered probative.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, right hand condition, LCL sprain of the left ankle, and denied service connection for scoliosis. The effective dates remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new and relevant evidence added to the record since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case in June 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of a diagnosed disability in the left ear or sleep disturbances. The cervical strain and left ankle conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, neck pain, bilateral ankle and lower leg pain, bilateral knee pain, shin splints, hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory condition (to include asthma), and skin condition (to include eczema and dermatitis). The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for Bell’s palsy, right eye glaucoma, bilateral weak ankles, and sinusitis were all denied as there was no new and material evidence received to reopen the claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hearing loss, increased ratings for tinnitus, otitis externa, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left foot/ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.