Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for atrial fibrillation and hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle sprain, IBS, and GERD are REMANDED.

Entitlement to service connection for a right knee meniscus disability, bilateral hearing loss, constipation, and some other conditions is denied. The Board has ordered remands for further development on the issues of service connection for bilateral ankle and plantar fasciitis disabilities.,An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied. Service connection for asthma is also denied as a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 40 percent disabling from October 6, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on ankylosis or other criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and ankle disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and left ankle disabilities due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions from Dr. S.V.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis of the ankles and feet, and ratings in excess of 30 percent for cold injury residuals in both lower extremities. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, migraines, left ankle strain, tinnitus, hypertension, costochondritis, allergic rhinitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are all rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The Veteran's Restless Leg Syndrome is rated as 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The left ankle disability is currently rated at 10%.

The Board denied service connection for cervical disc disease and a right ankle condition, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypothyroidism are being reviewed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% since the claim was filed, and other service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that more current VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's left thumb and right ankle disabilities, as his symptoms have worsened since the last examination in 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for medical opinions regarding his heart disability, peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and a left ankle disability based on evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for aggravation of sleep apnea due to his service-connected right leg scar and left ankle disability. The decision is based on a private opinion that found the use of opiate pain medication for these conditions aggravated the Veteran's sleep apnea.

Service connection is denied for sleep apnea, stomach disability, hypertension, left hand disability, low back injury, left leg lumbar radiculopathy, right ankle injury residuals, left wrist degenerative arthritis, and left eye injury residuals.,A compensable rating is granted for scar, status post left wrist fusion.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right lower extremity disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's ankle disabilities are rated at 20 percent since February 17, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues for further examination and rating consideration.

The Board has dismissed the issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for right ankle, right foot disabilities, a loss of vision, and a deviated septum. The claims for service connection for low back disability, IBS, and bilateral arm disability are reopened. The Veteran's rating claims for right shoulder, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for new VA examinations.