Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his nonservice-connected tremor in his right hand.

The Veteran's left knee DJD status post arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's residuals of right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for right and left ankle disorders and severe back pain. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as his increased rating claims. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for various knee disorders, hallux valgus, and hemorrhoids have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left hip, low back strain, and left ankle disabilities. The Board found that these conditions existed prior to service and were not aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left and right ankle disabilities as well as chipped teeth due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service treatment records, VA examinations, and private dental records need to be reviewed and additional opinions are required.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, a bilateral leg condition, and a low back condition. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right thumb metacarpophalangeal joint sprain, left ankle sprain, and left orbital scar were all granted initial ratings. The right thumb was rated at 10 percent, the left ankle at 10 percent, and the left orbital scar also received a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ankle arthritis and TDIU due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity. A new VA examination is needed.

The appeal to reopen a claim for PTSD is granted.,The claims for bilateral hallux valgus with hammertoe deformity and left hip disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and requests for additional evidence, including treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left great toe amputation and its impact on his balance and ambulation.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture and resulting arthritis are not service-connected, as the evidence does not show that VA care caused or aggravated this condition. The Veteran also did not participate in a VA compensated work therapy program at the time of his fall.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a spider bite of the right hand, left hip condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition. The acquired psychiatric disorder was granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of clear evidence to rebut the presumption of regularity that applies to VA's date-stamping of incoming mail, and thus, the earliest possible effective date is June 1, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of the record. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left ankle sprain is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle DJD is granted at 20% throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable. The Board has remanded issues regarding service connection for right ankle disorder and a separate rating for associated non-LOM symptomatology.