Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include tinnitus, hearing loss, heel pain, ankle pain, knee pain, psychiatric disorders, GERD, stomach condition, headaches, lung condition, sinus condition, and throat condition.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for left shoulder disorder and right ankle disorder, finding that the September 2004 rating decision became final due to lack of appeal or submission of new and material evidence within a year.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative bone disease, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability have all been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for degenerative bone disease, and there is no current diagnosis or link to service for either ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis of the spine, an ankle disability, strokes, and benign essential tremors have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right inguinal orchiectomy has been granted with an effective date earlier than June 7, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic nephropathy has been granted with an effective date earlier than July 30, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chin scar, status post basal cell carcinoma, has not yet had its effective date determined.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that it is the direct result of injury incurred during parachute jumps while on active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and traumatic brain injury (TBI), but has remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issue of a rating in excess of 10% for chronic lumbar strain. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include left ankle fracture and chronic lumbar strain, with no indication of any service connection theory other than direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for additional special monthly compensation at the R-1 rate is denied because he does not meet the requirements for SMC m, n, o, or p.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected right ankle disability, finding that the current 20% rating adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle/foot injury strain due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right and left ankles are each rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of service connection through March 31, 2015. A temporary total rating was granted for his right ankle due to immobilization with a walking boot.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right elbow and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran's service records indicate he was injured in March 2012, but he did not receive an examination at that time.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, effective from January 11, 2012. The evidence shows that the Veteran experiences swelling, limping gait, constant pain, and instability in his left ankle, but not ankylosis or other severe conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied. The appeal for revision of the combined rating for service-connected disabilities effective November 30, 2014 was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist, right knee, and right ankle conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide updated treatment records and undergo new examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability (IBS) is remanded for further review.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they are considered to be unrelated to her active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues related to right wrist, left wrist, psychiatric disability including PTSD, SI joint and L5 osteoarthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability was initially rated at 10 percent and has been rated as such since. A higher rating is denied.