Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records and procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for right hip, left hip, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been denied. The effective date of service connection is fixed at the date of receipt of claim.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of a left ankle condition, thus denying service connection for this claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues regarding entitlement to service connection for left knee disorder, hypertension, a left ankle disorder, numbness of left hip, and numbness of right hip, each claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 60 percent disabling, but no higher, for loss of use of the left lower extremity has been granted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, hip disorders, knee disorders, and ankle disorders due to incomplete service treatment records. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, finding no chronic disabilities in his service records. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions with an effective date of June 30, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to left shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 28, 2014 for service connection of left ankle sprain was denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim is considered to be the effective date.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and right knee disorder. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations to determine current diagnoses and associated impairment.

The Veteran's joint and muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disorder, liver disorder, memory loss, headaches, and depression are presumed to be related to his service in the Persian Gulf. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for a right knee disorder, higher ratings for left knee ligament laxity and limitation of flexion due to traumatic arthritis (left knee), and a compensable rating for residuals of left ankle talus fracture are remanded.

The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left foot disorder, a left ankle disability, and a laceration on the back of head. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.,The Board is remanding the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disorder due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding direct service incurrence and aggravation.,The TBI claim is being remanded as well, requiring a new VA examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to work due to functional limitations. The Board finds that further examination is needed to assess these effects on employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, skin condition, and PTSD. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, left and right ankle disabilities, and headaches have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ulcerative colitis and left ankle degenerative joint disease with surgical fusion and ankylosis, are deemed to render him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis due to the combined rating of 90 percent for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to procedural issues and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's death is noted, but DIC claim remains pending.