Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle strain, and bilateral pes planus due to new evidence. The service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent for severely limited range of motion. The Board found that an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or other compensable manifestations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and rhinorrhea, finding no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders, including a back disorder, left knee disorders, right knee disorders, left ankle disorders, and left elbow disorders. The decision also includes an issue regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons for the remand include the need to verify periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), provide a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions, and determine if any are related to the September 1987 motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records, arrange for a new examination regarding obesity, and remand the remaining issues.

The Board denied service connection for right hip, left ankle, and sleep disorders as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions prior to death. The Veteran's IBS is also not considered a separate disability from her psychiatric symptoms.,For TBI, the Board found that residuals were only rated at 0 percent due to overlap with other service-connected disabilities (PTSD and migraines).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient notice on secondary service connection, incomplete private treatment records, and need for further medical examinations. The issues include bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, all potentially related to her service-connected right distal femur fracture residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple joint disorders and obstructive sleep apnea have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board is remanding the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examination findings, inextricably intertwined issues, and need for further development of medical evidence.,The Board is also remanding the claim for TDIU as it is derivative of other claims currently before the Board.,All relevant treatment records must be obtained, including private records not already obtained.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the thoracolumbar spine disability, and scheduling another psychiatric examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disability. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination for the left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and left ankle disorder due to potential aggravation during service.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee and ankle disorders, as well as a jaw disorder. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left ankle disability, as well as whether it is related to service. The Veteran's statements will be considered along with clinical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his claims related to right shoulder, bilateral hip and ankle disorders, and a right foot disorder. The rating for the fracture of the left fifth metatarsal remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to January 28, 2015. The evidence does not reflect some factor that takes his case 'outside the norm' of any other veteran rated at the same level.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and considering all relevant evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cholesteatoma, right knee disability, left hip disability, left ankle disability, and low back disability all claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.