Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the disability ratings for posttraumatic osteoarthritis, right ankle with shin splints and tibial exostosis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for myofascial syndrome, right ankle disorder, and left inguinal hernia, status post repair. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left lower extremity disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims of in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted, effective from October 6, 2014. The appeals to service connection and increased ratings for other conditions are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. His right ankle condition is granted as service-connected, but the lumbosacral spine DDD with mild disc bulge at L4-L5 and L5 S1 does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure is granted. The effective date of the grant is August 13, 2018. The claims for earlier effective dates for end stage renal disease, left wrist disability, and left knee injury with limitation of extension are also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disability, and left ankle disability due to insufficient service dates provided. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ankle synovitis, tinnitus, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome caused by an in-service influenza vaccination have been dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denial of service connection for a right ankle disorder, left ear hearing loss, and a skin disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent from January 14, 2014 forward. The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, and right leg disability (separate from the Veteran's pre-existing right hip condition). The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding Eustachian tube dysfunction.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar spine, left hip, bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further development.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for names of physicians who treated you.

The Veteran's low back condition is related to in-service back trauma and has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's neck, sleep apnea, arthritis of upper extremities, gastrointestinal condition (hiatal hernia and acid reflux), left knee, right knee, left ankle, hypertension, and skin condition have not yet been determined due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's right hip condition, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis were all denied increased ratings. The fractured right ankle with ankylosis and degenerative joint disease was also denied.,The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle sprain, lumbar strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left hamstring strain. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left ankle disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis L5-S1, status post lumbar fusion (claimed as chronic back pain), right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The decision to reopen the claim of service connection for left ankle disability is remanded due to new evidence showing an old healed fracture in the Veteran's left ankle.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new examination of his service-connected left leg/ankle disability, as well as the referral of a claim regarding a back disability.