Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to the grant of a clothing allowance for calendar years 2013 and 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not related to his military service and do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to January 2, 2013.

This decision denies increased ratings for left and right carpal tunnel syndromes. The appeal for service connection of a heart disability is dismissed. Appeals for service connection of right ankle, sinus, and gastrointestinal disorders are remanded.,The effective dates for TDIU and DEA are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right knee strain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion with pain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 23, 2014 for the assignment of a 20 percent evaluation for right knee strain is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 23, 2014 for the assignment of a 10 percent evaluation for right knee limitation of flexion with pain is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for fibromyositis, lumbosacral spine with spasm (back condition), left ankle condition, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic rhinitis, esophagitis, and gastritis have been dismissed due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for instability of the left knee associated with residuals of left knee degenerative arthritis and a medial meniscus tear, status post meniscectomy. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle traumatic arthritis is rated as moderate.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were not found to be related to service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or current disability. The Veteran's left ankle disability was also denied as secondary to the right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied service connection for left collarbone, right collarbone (clavicle), right knee, lower back, and right ankle disabilities. The head injury claim is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist and ankle disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The case is remanded to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disability.

Service connection is granted for right ankle/heel inversion, left ear perforation (previously claimed as right ear perforation), chronic bronchitis, and left wrist and thumb scars. A TDIU is also granted.,Bladder disability and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp are remanded due to insufficient rationale provided in the February 2018 DBQ.

The Board denied service connection for a disorder of the right great toe, claimed as gouty arthritis, and residuals of a right ankle fracture due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions during service or at any point thereafter. Obesity was also not considered a disease or disability for VA purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, back, neck, and left knee disorders as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded 10 issues related to tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and various forms of rheumatoid arthritis due to the lack of service treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate these records through multiple avenues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected fracture residuals of the right hand and right ankle. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is part of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with associated ankle pain, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and ankle conditions due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is related to service.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are now granted. The remaining issues related to right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, tinea pedis, hypertension, migraine headaches, and sinus condition are remanded for further development.