Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee disability was denied. The Veteran also had a TDIU granted.,For the period prior to September 5, 2017, the Veteran’s intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis did not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

This decision grants a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability prior to April 12, 2016. The appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for chronic diarrhea, increased ratings for right knee disability, sebaceous head cyst removal residuals, and restless leg syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of lumbosacral strain and left ankle nerve entrapment have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including arthritis of the wrists, left knee condition, left hand scars, right ankle condition, vertigo and/or Meniere's disease secondary to hearing loss, migraine headaches secondary to hearing loss, Raynaud's disease of various extremities, anemia, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disability and bilateral pes planus was reopened, and the claims are granted. The left ankle, lumbar spine, and wrist disabilities as well as OSA remain denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, right shoulder disability, lower back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, left ankle disability, and bilateral knee disabilities. The effective date of these grants is July 18, 2018. However, the TDIU claim remains pending as it was not formally filed in conjunction with other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for her left knee and left ankle conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, low back disability, bilateral ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The AOJ will obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the severity and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hysterectomy, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to incomplete records. The Veteran's claim for vocational and rehabilitation employment services is also remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective April 30, 2011. The appeal is based on new evidence that was not previously considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his service-connected left hamstring tear. The claims will be remanded to allow for new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeals regarding the service connection for cold injury residuals of bilateral lower extremities, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral heel fracture residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of scheduled VA examinations for his service connection claims and requests rescheduling. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and to obtain updated medical records. The issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for left ankle disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his depressive disorder did not directly lead to the fatal stabbing by his child's mother. The Board concluded that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s depression to the actions of the mother.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 80 percent combined, and are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is remanded for further examination and development of records.