Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted, and his groin rash claim is reopened. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and osteoporosis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disorders, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence addressing the third element of service connection. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition. The claims for back disability and left ankle condition are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.,The Veteran also raised a claim for TDIU, which was added by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU effective March 17, 2013, and dismisses the remaining claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to support a link between his in-service complaints and any present condition.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the current existence and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee, ankle, hand pain and numbness, and sleep apnea disabilities. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and examination of his medical history, including in-service noise exposure, symptomatology, and treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine strain, bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to the need for further examinations and additional evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability was reopened. The VA granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful extension of the left knee from November 7, 2017, and granted an initial rating of 10 percent for blepharitis and dry eye syndrome. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders are not related to his service.,Service connection for a compensable initial rating for depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, left sciatic radiculopathy, reactive airway disease, a right knee baker's cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, and chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for eligibility to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by a brace he uses for his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has granted payment of a clothing allowance for the calendar year 2014.

The Veteran's claim for impaired fasting glucose was denied as it is not a disability for VA compensation purposes.,PTSD service connection was granted with an effective date of December 29, 2016. An earlier effective date prior to this date was denied.,An initial PTSD rating in excess of 10 percent was denied.,Bilateral pes planus service connection was granted with an effective date of April 29, 2011. An earlier effective date prior to this date was denied.,Service connection for a skin disability was denied.,Allergic rhinitis was granted as related to the Veteran's active service.,The claims for cervical spine and sinus disabilities were reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings and secondary service connection for various disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain new VA examinations.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus, shin splints of the left and right lower extremities, lumbar spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability. He is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankles, as well as her bladder condition, due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners. The remand requires obtaining updated treatment records, conducting new examinations, and providing additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as hypertension. The issues have been returned to the AOJ for further development.