Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding continuity of symptomatology and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, due to marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New and material evidence has reopened claims for bilateral elbow disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and chronic sinusitis but the claims are denied on their merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded his claim for a higher rating for right ankle strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, residuals of an eye injury, and glaucoma due to incomplete information in his service records and insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for right wrist disability, TDIU determination, and reopening of previously denied lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records. The effective date claim remains pending.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 40 percent from December 8, 2015 is correct. The appeal for service connection on the issues of left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and left ankle strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar strain and myofascial pain, CRPS of the right hip, left knee and foot, right knee, and right ankle. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the remaining claims are decided, including for VA examinations of the Veteran's left shoulder and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not found to be the cause of his obesity and resultant need for special home adaptations or SMC based on aid and attendance. The Board denied both claims due to insufficient evidence linking his obesity to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and left ankle disability, including a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information or evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left great toe disability and an increased rating for his left ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.,His dental condition is also under consideration, but he does not have a compensable dental disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, right calcaneal spur, and initial compensable rating for a well healed, non-angulating, non-deformed left femoral fracture were all denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a left ankle disability, the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's right calcaneal spur was incurred during service, and the Veteran's left femoral fracture did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hand, foot, and ankle disabilities due to cold injuries sustained during service. Additional development is needed to confirm exposure details and determine if these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee, hip, left ankle, and rib disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right foot disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The rating for his right foot disability is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. Additional medical examinations are needed to assess current disability levels.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of any post-service left or right ankle disability. The Board finds that the current right ankle diagnosis does not constitute a chronic disability and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.,Service connection for a sleep disorder secondary to her already service-connected psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder) is granted.

The Board denied service connection and compensation ratings for various disabilities, including upper respiratory, left shoulder, right wrist, bilateral ankle, hearing loss, cystitis, and foot scars. The decision also found that the Veteran's current cystitis is in remission.