Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the issues of rating left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury, left knee tendonitis, and right ankle sprain are all granted effective from August 24, 2010. The disability ratings for the left knee tendonitis and right ankle sprains have been restored to their original levels.,Service connection is established for bilateral optic neuropathy resulting in blindness without light perception in both eyes. The Veteran is also eligible for SMC at the (l) level due to his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for the left ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's tinea cruris/corporis has been rated as non-compensable throughout the appeal period. The Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to its limited extent and treatment. The issues of service connection for blurred vision, left ankle disability, and multiple lipomas are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for tendonitis, bilateral knees, arthralgia, bilateral ankles, and bilateral pes planus as there was no evidence showing these conditions were related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lower back and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral shoulder, hip, leg, knee, Achilles tendon, ankle, and foot disabilities. The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left ankle, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities. The decision also includes a request for an initial compensable disability rating for migraine headaches. A new examination is required for each issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left third and fourth fingers, right ankle, low back disability, left shin scar, PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, stress fracture of the left tibia, right shoulder disability (prior to April 21, 2014), right clavicle disability, and right wrist disability have been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection of right fifth finger disability are also denied.,The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for low back disability, left shin scar, and PTSD as there is no case or controversy with respect to these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability is granted, and the effective date of this decision is set at August 31, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle instability and left foot and toe neurological impairment as secondary to in-service low back surgery, and for a neurological impairment of the left side of the face due to an in-service dental injury.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left eye disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, a back disability, a right ankle disability with broken blood vessel and swelling, residuals of frostbite of the right hand and thumb, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected anxiety disorder due to failure to provide VA examinations.

The Board has determined that further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right elbow, right foot, bilateral knee, or bilateral ankle disorders. The Veteran's service records indicate injuries in service, but a VA examiner will be required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder and granted it. The effective date is set at October 3, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, left wrist disability, and left ankle disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for a right ankle disability, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and residuals of a right tarsonavicular fracture (right foot disability) as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for hypertension, but denied reopening of service connection for a musculoskeletal condition (left ankle), liver condition/cirrhosis, macular degeneration with glaucoma of the right eye, and loss of vision of the left eye. Service connection for hypertension is granted.