Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection due to the receipt of additional relevant medical and personnel records. The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, hysterectomy residuals, bladder disability, thyroid disability, right ankle disability, bilateral lower extremity neurological disability, left breast disability, skin disability, sleep disorder, memory loss, and swamp fever are now pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination for his right ankle disability, and an explanation of any inconsistencies in previous examinations.

The Board found that the July 13, 1981 decision did not address whether the reduction from a 10% to zero percent rating for the right ankle disability was proper. The Board concluded this error would have resulted in restoring the previous 10% rating.

The Board has determined that there are issues to be resolved and thus, the case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's low back, left knee, and bilateral foot calluses disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.,The Veteran's right knee disability is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability. The cases of the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and asthma disabilities are remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening since the last examinations.

Service connection granted for right and left knee disabilities.,Service connection granted for right wrist disability due to Gulf War exposure.,Remanded for further examination and evaluation of right shoulder post rotator cuff injury and bilateral ankle fracture residuals.,Remanded for initial rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as well as separate evaluation for neurological bladder disability.,Service connection granted for right shoulder post rotator cuff injury.,Service connection granted for bilateral ankle fracture residuals.,Separate evaluation requested for neurogenic bladder disability.

The Veteran's right hip trochanteric bursitis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are granted with specific evaluations. The right ankle sprain is not compensable.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 10 percent rating prior to March 5, 2012 and a 30 percent rating from that date forward. The left ankle condition and metatarsalgia are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for a right ankle disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations in adjudicating his claim. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the additional evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for left elbow disorder was granted, with the claim being reopened but not decided on the merits due to lack of competent medical opinion linking the condition to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and dermatophytosis of the left hand long finger due to undeliverable correspondence.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to new evidence received since the September 1996 rating decision. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee disability, service connection for left ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that there was no probative evidence of a nexus between his current left ankle sinus tarsitis and his active service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right ankle and right metatarsal is granted as service-connected. The Board also remanded issues regarding his meningioma, pulmonary embolism, aspergilloma (claimed as brain fungus), and brain abscess.,For the remaining issues, a new VA opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been granted service connection. Service connection for fibromyalgia, acid reflux, and other conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). The claims for a left-hand disability and ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right ankle disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-obstructive coronary artery disease. The appeal regarding service connection for a left ankle disability (other than Achilles tendonitis) is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include right shoulder, low back, left ankle, neck, headaches, cardiac condition (Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block), bilateral shin splints, muscle pain, joint pain, and left leg conditions.