Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has not made a decision on the service connection claim for right ankle condition due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was previously rated at 30 percent. Beginning March 21, 2017, the VA determined that a higher 40 percent rating is warranted due to ankylosis of the ankle.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis with talipes valgus, left ankle sprain of the tibiofibular ligament, right ankle sprain of the tibiofibular ligament, hallux valgus of the left foot, and hallux valgus of the right foot have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination for spinal fusion, right knee disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to the need for more contemporaneous evaluations, additional treatment records, and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to a lack of adequate reasons or bases in the March 2017 decision. The Court found that VA did not address whether the Veteran is entitled to service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 for an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral pes planus disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including left ankle disability, right ankle disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability, as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including reopening of claims for arthritis of the feet (also claimed as gout), residuals of fractured ankles, loss of vision/eyesight, and heart condition. The spine disability and bilateral leg condition are also being remanded due to their inextricability with other disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, residuals of a left leg fracture, and a 3rd degree burn of the right ankle. Service connection was granted for neurological problems, to include headaches.,Service connection for a cervical spine disorder was not established as there is no evidence showing it had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an ankle disorder secondary to his right knee disability and for increased ratings for his right knee instability and status post MCL repair with mild laxity. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current ankle disorder or right knee conditions to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, headache disability, hypertension, and a left ankle disorder (secondary to right ankle injury).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for edema of the feet and ankles, stasis dermatitis, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% since January 3, 2010. The Board also granted TDIU beginning on that date due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the VA Form 9 was not received in a timely manner.,The Veteran has been granted certificates of eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's low back disability remains rated at 20 percent prior to January 24, 2012, and his TDIU claim is also on hold until additional information can be gathered.

The Board denied service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle disability, finding that his preexisting right ankle condition did not undergo any permanent worsening during his military service and was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability, tinnitus, and ankle disabilities have resulted in total occupational impairment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 70% for these conditions.