Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for memory loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. The claims are now remanded.,The Veteran's applications to reopen the claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders, left and right ankle disorders, residuals of a head injury (originally claimed as brain tumors), numbness of the left hand and lower arm, and sinusitis have all been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided new VA examinations to address whether his bilateral hip disabilities, left knee, and left ankle are related to service. Ongoing VA medical records should also be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 3, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to October 3, 2008 and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to incomplete information from Social Security Administration.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle disorder, left ear pain, aggravated pain to the jaw and mouth, and a compensable disability rating for residuals of a fractured mandible with extraction of tooth number 17. The Veteran's disabilities are secondary to his service-connected dental condition.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including muscle spasms, lumbar and cervical spine disorders, hip, knee, ankle, and leg disorders, PTSD, GERD with chronic gastritis and duodenitis, and eczematous dermatitis. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the highest available rating of 20 percent. A separate 30 percent rating for his peroneal and sensory sural neuropathy is granted, effective May 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a skin disability, have been denied. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain has been granted a 20% disability rating, effective from April 1, 2016. The post-operative scar is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for GERD, left inguinal hernia repair, and chronic right ankle strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent effective June 5, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examinations. The issues include shin splints, left ankle disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and onychomycosis and tinea pedis of both feet.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the AOJ has not provided a supplemental statement of the case addressing new evidence and further development is needed. Additionally, the VA treatment records need to be obtained, and a new examination by an appropriate clinician is required.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, chronic bronchitis, and a psychiatric disability were denied in January 2004. The effective date for the award of service connection is set at January 7, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 20 percent for his ankle sprains and major depressive disorder with anxious distress are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression), arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, degenerative changes of the left and right ankles, and bilateral pes planus. The issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of all digits of the left hand, right leg disability, and left ankle disability have been reopened. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis has not been reopened.,Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of all digits of the left hand.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including knee and hip issues secondary to a right ankle condition, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals. The remaining claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and umbilical hernia have been reopened. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical radiculopathy and lumbar radiculopathy, as well as increased evaluations for the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities. The left ankle disability claim is also being remanded.