Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle and right foot conditions, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), and left knee DJD. The VA will conduct further examinations and obtain additional records before deciding these cases.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for bilateral knee disability and a lack of VA treatment records. The Veteran's left ankle disability is not related to his current bilateral knee disability, but it may have aggravated his existing knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to a left knee disability; a cervical spine disability; and an asthma/COPD disability. The Board found that there was no evidence showing cause or aggravation in service but rather that the evidence showed post-service injuries.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no current disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, low back/lumbar spine disability, right shoulder, knee, ankle, and/or foot disabilities, and psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding his current diagnoses are not credible.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle disorders, respiratory cancer, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board previously denied service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability, and a remand is required to obtain a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service basketball injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a left knee disability, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the January 2008 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including issuing a SOC in response to the Veteran's notice of disagreement regarding his service connection claims and effective date claim. The issues of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen his low back disability claim, entitlement to higher ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury. The claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, back disability (claimed as arthritis all over), and bilateral shoulder disability are remanded due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for gouty arthritis of the bilateral ankles and right knee, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or his service-connected hypertension and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied as the evidence does not support credible reports of an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spondylosis prior to February 8, 2016; and 20 percent thereafter is denied. The Board finds that his symptoms do not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spondylosis since February 8, 2016 is denied as there is no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; nor has favorable ankylosis been shown.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. The effective date for service connection remains November 13, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability and sinus bradycardia has been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of these claims, but did not make a determination on whether they are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records.

The Board has decided to remand twelve service connection claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining fourteen issues were previously denied in a November 2014 rating decision and require issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 50 percent from May 31, 2012 to July 13, 2016.,Service connection for right hand disability and bilateral elbow disability are denied as they do not meet the criteria of a qualifying chronic disease or undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left knee disability is granted. Service connection for a left foot disability, secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, is also granted. The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his knee disabilities and back disability.