Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and additional development is required for rating and service connection issues.

The claim for service connection of a right ankle disability is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as further development is needed to determine if the current right ankle disability is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's post traumatic right ankle osteoarthritis is rated at a 20 percent rating from April 23, 2012 to July 11, 2017. Since July 12, 2017, the rating has been increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 30 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for his left ankle limitation of motion is granted. The Veteran seeks an increased rating but the Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a back disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The rating for left ankle strain remains at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral ankle condition, sleep disorder, and PTSD for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a typographical error in the description of the claims on appeal and because the Veteran identified relevant outstanding private treatment records. The VA will request these records.

This decision grants a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's status post ruptured bladder, effective September 12, 2013. The Veteran also receives a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated as 100 percent disabling since January 2018.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left shoulder, low back, bilateral hip, and right ankle disabilities. The rating for post-concussion syndrome with cognitive disorder and adjustment disorder, with anxiety and insomnia is also being remanded for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for residuals of right ankle sprain and granted service connection for right ankle arthritis. The evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to showing that the Veteran's current right ankle conditions are associated with his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities. The effective date claim related to TDIU remains pending as it has not been adjudicated yet.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left thumb, left ankle, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to new evidence submitted. However, these claims are still pending as they need further examination by VA medical professionals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture, including his past diagnosis of arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the entire appeal to be dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are worsening and need to be evaluated again. The nature and etiology of his hypertension will also be clarified.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his hypertension is related to service. His sleep apnea and ankle/knee/hip disorders may also require clarification regarding their relationship to service.,VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, left hip disorder, and shortening of the left leg.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these other claims and must be deferred until they are resolved.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability, including whether it is related to service or any other conditions. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and etiological opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for a higher evaluation for his right ankle disability due to inadequate examinations and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and that it is etiologically related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for epididymitis of the right testicle and an increased rating for sinus tarsi syndrome of the right ankle.

The Board denied service connection for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.