Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right ankle/foot condition has worsened since his last VA examination in April 2014, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the appropriate rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending claims that could impact the TDIU determination. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded until all service connection and new and material evidence issues are resolved.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral pes planus, and varicose veins. The claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective dates for the grant of service connection were not granted earlier than April 29, 2011. A compensable rating for his coccyx disability was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disorder, cardiac disorder, left arm disorder, right arm disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision also dismissed the claim for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has found conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's current right ankle condition and requires a supplemental opinion to reconcile these opinions. The Veteran is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if his right ankle pain is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete range of motion testing in the VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, flat feet, and skin disorder. The claim for a left leg disorder is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for hypertension, pulmonary embolism, status post colon resection, left ankle arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral hand arthritis, and bilateral foot arthritis due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. Service connection was granted for residuals of recurring incisional hernia with associated scarring.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right ankle is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim, but denied service connection due to lack of a nexus between current tinnitus and active service. The Veteran is not entitled to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or automobile/adaptive equipment benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on his increased rating claim, and an earlier effective date claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or stressor events.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including eye condition, joint pain, shoulder and neck conditions, wrist and hand conditions, knee and ankle conditions, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all potentially related to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations due to his inability to report for scheduled exams.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle was denied. The appeal for individual unemployability prior to March 23, 2018, was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, left ankle, and right ankle arthritis. The Veteran's right hip disorder, sacroiliac arthritis, and trochanteric bursitis are also considered to be related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle disorder, acne, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD. The evidence did not support current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle arthralgia is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury during combat service in Korea, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including hypothyroidism with bradycardia, depression with a mood disorder, thoracolumbar spine strain with ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions. The Board has determined that she meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.