Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which includes strain with ligament injury and a surgical scar, is rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of marked limitation of motion or other compensable conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, knee scars, left ankle disability (secondary to knee disability), bilateral vision loss, and hepatitis due to incomplete service treatment records and unobtained post-service medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle scar was previously rated at 10%, but the rating was reduced to 0% effective May 5, 2009. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the 10% rating from May 5, 2009 to April 11, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence. The Veteran's conditions include hypertension, gout of the feet, anemia, splenomegaly, onychomycosis, psychiatric disability, left shoulder condition, right thumb disability, left knee disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and a sebaceous cyst.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar sprain/strain with DDD was granted at a 20 percent level, effective January 17, 2012. The claim for left ankle sprain/strain with chronic DJD is denied. TDIU remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an inguinal hernia, bilateral ankle disorder, insomnia, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) due to lack of evidence supporting service connection.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as there is no credible evidence linking them to military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep disability, left ankle disability, arthritis of the left ankle, and hypertension/PTSD. The right ankle fracture residuals were granted a 10% rating with an effective date of July 31, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, left foot surgery with scar, low back condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral hip condition. The claim for mandibular hypoplasia is also remanded as it requires further examination to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30% effective March 2, 2016. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis remains at 10%. Service connection is remanded for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shin disorder, right shin disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder.,The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30% effective March 2, 2016. The initial rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis remains at 10%. Service connection is remanded for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shin disorder, right shin disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10% prior to March 12, 2014. Since then, a 20% rating has been granted for marked limitation of motion in the right ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence and need for further examination. The issues of service connection, rating assignments, and examinations have been returned to the RO.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disability, bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee/leg condition, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's right shoulder strain, GERD, and bilateral foot condition are also remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and knee have been granted initial ratings from November 1, 2011 to March 25, 2018. The rating for the lumbar spine was increased to 20% effective March 26, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. However, it has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for left shoulder and right elbow disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and right ankle sprain clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's terminal hospital reports and missing February 2017 rating action. The appellant’s claims for service connection are also remanded due to an incomplete list of dates the Veteran served on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle sprain, heart surgery, and migraines due to exposure at Camp Lejeune are denied. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as clarification of his Gulf War service. The issues include multiple musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle strain, back strain, and bilateral hearing loss disability as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.