Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic sinus disability, arthritis of the left shoulder, bilateral elbows, right wrist, fingers, left ankle, and bilateral feet have been reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability has not met the criteria to be reopened.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, right knee disability before total replacement surgery is rated at 40 percent, and right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent. Appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the extent of additional range of motion loss during flare-ups and repeated use.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, denied increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, denied effective dates prior to May 22, 2015 for service connection of right ankle arthritis and left leg pain (rheumatoid radiculopathy), and remanded issues related to depression, service connection for left ankle arthritis, and effective dates prior to August 29, 2014 for increased rating of right lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board also denied an effective date prior to January 26, 2018 for a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and degenerative changes of the left great toe, denied service connection for left ankle arthritis, and remanded issues related to depression.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine, left foot, right foot, and left ankle disabilities due to service connection. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits is also in question.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, depression, and other disabilities due to outstanding evidence and further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for a right ankle disability and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, degenerative arthritis were dismissed due to withdrawals by the Veteran.

Service connection is denied for shin splints, left leg and right leg.,Service connection is denied for gout in the left foot, left ankle, left knee, and right knee.

The Veteran's claims for neck condition, middle shoulder neurological disability, and right ankle condition have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition has been granted with new evidence submitted since the June 1988 rating decision. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) has also been reopened due to new evidence, but a final determination on this issue is pending.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back, left hand, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disorders. The decision also noted that the Veteran's vision disorder was not connected to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including bilateral ankle, knee, wrist, left mandibular paresthesia, lumbar spine disability (DDD), middle finger disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected right ankle disability, but remanded to obtain additional information regarding the service-connected shrapnel wound scar.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that his assertions of in-service onset were credible and casting doubt on any medical opinions to the contrary. The other issues are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral foot and ankle disabilities due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability because the Veteran's injury was caused by his own willful misconduct during active duty, and thus not incurred in line of duty.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and denied a compensable rating for deviated nasal septum. The Veteran's right ankle condition was not shown during the appeal period, and his deviated nasal septum did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's DJD of the right foot is rated at 20 percent, and his Right Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome and Right Ankle Achilles Tendonitis are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to new evidence being submitted, and these issues are inextricably intertwined with other service connection and rating decisions.