Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection were properly filed on November 15, 2011. Effective dates of November 15, 2011 have been granted for all disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with multiple areas of spinal disc herniations was denied. The right knee strain and ankle disabilities were granted increased ratings, but the limitation of flexion in the right knee remains at a compensable level.

The Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues for further evaluation, including those related to arthritis and wrist conditions.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disorders, as well as his hypertension, are not service-connected.,His skin disorder is also not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left ankle disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The VA will provide additional examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current left ankle disability is more likely due to natural progression rather than active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle degenerative joint disease with healed surgical scar and for a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 in association with right ankle surgery.

The Veteran's claims for special home adaptation grant, financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or conveyance, and assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing have been denied due to the absence of a service-connected disability that meets the eligibility criteria.

Your appeals have been dismissed as you are satisfied with the recent decision granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and ankle conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The issues include service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to bilateral ankle disorders, as well as initial ratings for lumbar strain with retrolisthesis, left and right ankle strains.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's low back condition and right fractured talus and ankle injury are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service.,The Veteran's right fractured talus and ankle injury is being remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether it was aggravated by service. The issue of urinary incontinence will also be remanded as there is no current evidence of a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for urinary incontinence is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a right ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied.,Service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disorder and its relationship to his service-connected right ankle and low back disorders. The claims are also being remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a right total knee replacement was previously denied in June 2013 due to lack of evidence showing VA error, and the Veteran did not appeal within one year.,New evidence received since June 2013 includes statements from a VA physician indicating additional surgeries were performed due to complications following the initial surgery. The Veteran also provided testimony about delays in scheduling physical therapy post-surgery.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues regarding her knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected right ankle fracture and degenerative arthritic changes of the left knee, and thus grants service connection for this condition.