Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left toe fracture residuals and right ankle disorder, finding no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and left ankle disorders as they are not shown to be causally related to service or secondary to his service-connected great toe disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and right ankle conditions due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination report. The Veteran's pre-existing left knee condition may have been aggravated by military service, but it is unclear if this aggravation was beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete service records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder and ankle injuries as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left ankle, bilateral lower extremity (claimed as secondary to low back disability), and left testalgia disabilities. The gastrointestinal disability claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's chronic left ankle sprain. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding secondary service connection for Peyronie's disease, the case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his left ankle DJD warrants a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including blood abnormalities, left ankle disability, left leg disability, right foot disability, and sleep disorder. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorder due to her duties as a cook on a ship. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle arthritis and left ankle shin splints, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The claims for bilateral knee disabilities, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development. The issues include PTSD, depression, hypertension, sinusitis, bilateral pes planus, right hand chemical burn, left knee injury, right tennis elbow and arm pain, bilateral shoulder pain, contusion to the neck, and residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not assigned a specific effective date as the claim is still pending.

The Veteran's appeals seeking compensable ratings for various conditions have been dismissed. The right ankle disorder claim was denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee disability, migraines, left thumb disability (status post reduction and casting), and inversion sprain of the right ankle. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,For his right knee condition, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus, the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability resulted in persistent weakness and loss of motion, which was not reasonably foreseeable. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this additional disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and TDIU.

Service connection is granted for left and right ankle strains. An evaluation of 10 percent is granted for pneumothorax, right, effective October 7, 2015. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, hypertension, cervical spine/ neck disability, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral arms and hands, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral feet disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, thyroid disability, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nervous disorder, anxiety, and depression.

The claims for service connection for scarring alopecia (claimed as hair loss) and PTSD have been rendered moot due to the complete grant of benefits. The remaining issues, including sleep apnea, vestibular disorder other than vertigo, TBI, fibromyalgia, back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, eye disorder, respiratory disorder, hypertension, and skin disorder other than scarring alopecia, are remanded for further development.