Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety) is remanded due to new evidence received since the July 1998 rating decision. The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded four issues: right shoulder disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression and anxiety), right ankle disorder, and ear disorder. The Veteran's claims are not ready for the Board’s review due to his failure to appear for VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for right thumb disability due to lack of a current disability. The left ankle disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches were not productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months or more frequently from May 8, 2015 to September 4, 2017, and thus he is denied a compensable disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip and lumbar spine conditions. The claim for service connection for a right leg condition, right ankle condition, and right groin condition is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding their nature. Service connection for lumbar spine condition is granted as secondary to service-connected post-Magnusson stack repair right shoulder with subluxation. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder disability, cervical spine arthritis, and right shoulder scar are also remanded.

An effective date of May 15, 1975 is granted for the grant of service connection for a left ankle scar.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a right arm disorder is denied.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and hallux valgus of both feet was denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and left ankle condition due to missing VA treatment records and a need for medical examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ankle disability and TDIU claim are inextricably intertwined, so both issues must be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury. The issues of service connection for neck disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle disorder and a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and current severity.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral ankle disabilities are granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing that the current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is granted a 10% rating, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains at a 30% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a disorder.,An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right long finger disability is denied due to lack of evidence showing marked limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend a VA examination for her right ankle disability. The claim will be reviewed again after she is provided with another examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and arm, elbow, wrist, and psychiatric conditions. The issues have been recharacterized to reflect the benefit sought by the Veteran on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed back, neck, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation and no nexus between current disability and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right shoulder injury, fractured left ankle, fractured ribs, and right eye injury are all granted. However, the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his claimed in-service injuries or events.