Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 9, 2011 for a 40 percent rating for service-connected right leg venous insufficiency is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced for and against (in 'relative equipoise') a finding that an earlier effective date of November 9, 2011 is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and records. The Veteran is required to undergo examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury and low back disability were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to in-service injuries. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle gout, as well as his claim for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support these claims. The cases are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, while his bilateral ankle disability is rated at 10 percent since April 25, 2016. The appeals for higher ratings were denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at a higher rate due to the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet, resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for lower back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at a maximum of 40 percent after May 9, 2017 due to ankylosis with eversion deformity.

The Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability is denied. The Veteran's service-connected status post open reduction and internal fixation for left clavicle with residual left shoulder decreased mobility has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the left knee and status post right knee arthroscopic surgery with debridement are denied.

The Veteran's claim for vision problems was reopened due to the submission of new medical and lay evidence. The claims for left shoulder, left ankle, skin cancer, and right wrist disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left ankle strain, myocardial infarction (coronary artery disease), PTSD, and left knee arthoplasty are all under review.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a fractured and/or sprained left ankle due to new evidence, but denied the underlying claim as the medical opinion does not establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person, housebound status, special home adaptation or specially adapted housing, and automobile adaptive equipment are remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, right wrist sprain, left shin splints, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The appeals are also remanded for further evaluation of other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's service-connected left ankle and left wrist disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tension headaches was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous directives, specifically regarding the Veteran's reported flare-ups during a private examination. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increase rating due to failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be remanded for scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.