Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete records and the need for clarification of private examination reports.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the toes and knuckles, a right ankle condition, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and chest pain and tightness. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability (secondary to service-connected left ankle disability), and increased rating for his left ankle disability due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye nuclear sclerotic cataract, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The claim of entitlement to service connection for gout is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for lower back disability and right ankle disability, increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, and a TDIU claim. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide VA examinations, and consider the evidence of record.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle and wrist conditions, but has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is granted as service-connected. The issue of service connection for the bilateral ankle condition, which may be secondary to his service-connected varicose veins, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral hip disability, and right ankle disability as they are not related to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle conditions due to in-service jumping out of planes as a paratrooper. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for right ankle disability and right ankle scar, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if ankylosis or unstable scars are present.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain is reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and a VA examination addressing her employment capacity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and right foot disorders due to a lack of STRs from his period of active duty. The Veteran reported an in-service injury that occurred in approximately October or November 1958 when he fell into a fox hole and injured his ankles and right foot.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for a left ankle disability is remanded and will require further examination.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's current right ankle disability is not related to his service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection was granted for left ankle Achilles tendinitis with an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including left foot, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, neurological, arm, upper extremity neuropathy, right leg, neck, and back disorders. The RO is instructed to obtain in-service hospitalization records from 1976-1979 and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship of these disorders to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected recurrent right ankle sprain, plantar/calcaneal spurs and hallux valgus.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, as the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to the claim. The issues of service connection for various disorders are remanded.