Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal, nerve, joint, and psychiatric disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of these issues. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain has been rated at 10 percent since May 2, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no more than moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right shoulder strain, right knee musculoligamentous strain with limited extension, and right ankle sprain from April 16, 2015 has been denied.,A uniform 10 percent rating is appropriate for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities were granted increased ratings, while the headache disability was denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction. The right ankle disability is related to an in-service injury, while the erectile dysfunction is linked to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and rating for various disabilities. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being examined again due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and inadequate examination in 2011. A new peripheral vestibular disorder (vertigo) claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his left ankle disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis with more than 10 degrees of dorsiflexion or abduction, adduction, inversion, or eversion deformity. The Veteran also appealed for SMC based on loss of use of the left foot prior to May 24, 2015, which was denied. He was granted a noncompensable rating for his left ankle scar.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disability and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to connect the current condition to his in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle strains. However, the claims of entitlement to increased initial disability evaluations for various conditions are still pending and need further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left hip disability (secondary to service-connected disabilities), lumbar spine strain, and left ankle sprain due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service-connected rhinitis, hemorrhoids, migraine headaches, and right ankle posterior tibial tendonitis due to inadequate examinations in May 2014. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the current level of severity of all impairment resulting from these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for shoulder, back, bilateral knee, and right ankle disabilities as there were no current diagnoses of these conditions at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded for further evaluation and development due to a recent hearing testimony indicating worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's left ATCS is granted a rating of 20 percent, effective from June 11, 2018.,A separate 20 percent rating for disability of the left internal tibial nerve is granted, effective from December 27, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbar spine, IBS, bilateral ankles, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, left arm disability, bilateral ankle condition, and PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for release of all identified private medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right ankle conditions with fallen arches are denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that caused these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, but remanded his claims for left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and foot disorders due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and referral to the Director of Compensation Service. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to July 10, 2014, on an extraschedular basis is also referred.