Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection: lumbar strain and sprain, right ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and sciatica of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was previously granted in a January 2018 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence of a connective tissue disorder, which may be related to in-service chemical exposures. The VA will obtain additional medical records and personnel files, clarify his Persian Gulf veteran status, and schedule an examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back, hip, and left ankle disabilities claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to an in-service injury, and whether it is secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's left ankle DJD is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism, left ankle sprain, and chronic lumbosacral strain have been rated as 60 percent disabling. The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right wrist disorder, back disorder, right ankle disorder, and allergic skin condition due to outstanding service treatment records that may corroborate the Veteran's reports.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder is granted, and a 10 percent initial rating is assigned. Service connection for the right thumbnail deformity is also granted with separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 7803 and 7804.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic strain, degenerative disc disease of cervical spine, left ankle strain, and left knee patellar femoral pain syndrome as there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle injury and its residuals are related to his service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to provide a medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and other joint pain conditions are being remanded for further development. The issues of increased rating, compensable rating, service connection, and TDIU will be addressed after the additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his left ankle disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records from private facilities where he received treatment. The VA must request copies of his records from these facilities and provide him with an opportunity to respond.

The Board has decided that the VA medical opinion is inadequate and requests for updated treatment records, verification of duty status, and an examination are needed to determine if a right ankle disorder is related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hand disability, low back disability, and neck disability. The claim for increased rating for arthritis, left ankle residuals is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's hypertension contributed to his cause of death, which is a secondary service connection issue.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to increased ratings and service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeals. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, hearing loss, and residuals of hepatitis B due to lack of evidence showing chronic conditions during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's representative requested to withdraw all claims on appeal, including service connection for left leg/thigh injury, left ankle strain associated with post traumatic arthritis with ankylosis, right ankle, and entitlement to a compensable rating for tinea pedis. As such, the claims are dismissed.