Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for left ankle, left knee, and back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations on several of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, lumbosacral spine; left knee tendonitis; right knee tendonitis; left ankle strain; and right ankle strain. The appeal regarding unspecified depressive disorder was granted.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as he withdrew his appeals in May 2016. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from July 26, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residual fracture of the left foot, with swollen ankle and degenerative joint disease, and for TDIU prior to September 14, 2015. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current disability status.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination. The spine disability claim is related to in-service events, while the left leg and ankle disabilities are linked to a casting incident during service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left knee disability has been granted. An initial increased rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability is granted effective January 27, 2016. For the period prior to May 12, 2015, an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the left ankle disability is denied. A 10 percent disability rating for the left ankle disability is granted beginning May 12, 2015. An increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 15, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent from May 15, 2017, is denied. For the period prior to May 15, 2017, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, back, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), asthma, cholecystitis, and Parkinson’s disease have all been denied.,No new or material evidence was received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that there is equipoise evidence to support the claim, and thus service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease as secondary to service-connected digital neuroma of the left great toe is granted.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for thyroid cancer, breast mass, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension, digestive disorder, respiratory condition, upper back/neck disability, migraine headaches, and others.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability and TBI residuals, were denied. The claim for service connection for the right shoulder was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim is still denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or current condition related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee, back, neck and right ankle disabilities are being remanded for further examination to assess their severity.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied service connection for low back, neck, right ankle, right eye, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and previous award determinations. The Board needs to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from orthopedic treatments and any prior clothing allowance awards.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of infection during VA treatment in 2003, finding no additional disability related to the treatment.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2015 due to use of skin medications (Melaquin HP 4% Cream and Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Lotion). The other claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for joint pain, migraine headaches, PTSD, and left ear hearing loss due to additional development being required.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle and left foot disabilities, as well as migraine headaches and PTSD. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right ankle tendonitis have been granted at 10 percent. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence from a recent VA examination, requiring further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right ankle disorder. Bilateral hearing loss is linked to acoustic trauma during active service. Tinnitus is also linked to in-service noise exposure. The right ankle disorder is believed to have started due to an injury sustained while on active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's left ankle disability, including a VA examination to address functional loss due to pain and flare-ups.