Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints, as the issue is intertwined with a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for left knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disorder with arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus resulted in marked contraction of the plantar fascia with dropped forefoot, hammer toes, very painful callosities, and marked varus deformity. A 50 percent rating is granted for bilateral pes cavus as of September 30, 2009.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of a right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, the claims are still pending as further medical examination is needed to determine if these disorders are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates of service connection for low back and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for low back disability and left ankle fracture are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and back disabilities, as well as an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a shortened right leg, and if so, whether they have been aggravated by that condition.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right ankle injury and has remanded the issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral ankle arthritis. The appeal regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted, and the issue of increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist strain, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, gynecological disorder (including dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia), plantar fasciitis of the right foot, residuals of a right ankle strain, retinal degeneration, and onychomycosis of the toes. The other conditions were either denied or not addressed in terms of service connection.

The Board has determined that there is new evidence sufficient to reopen several service connection claims, including for severe headaches, auditory hallucinations, left knee condition, right knee condition, chronic sinusitis, and other conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development of his records and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left foot disabilities, as well as his lumbar spine, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, left leg, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The claims are remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his character of discharge during his second period of service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or in-service cold exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disorders were granted, including osteoarthritis, ligament tears, osteochondral fracture and lesions, tendinitis, talar impingement, and third degree sprain. The claim was remanded for further action on the issue of total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle/foot disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for left knee DJD and right knee DJD are also remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, ankle, CTS, and left knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and conducting additional VA examinations.