Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which suggests that his current left ankle disability may be related to service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if this is true.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a low back injury.,Service connection was granted for the right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (claimed as residuals of right-ankle injury).,The issue of service connection for the residuals of a right hand injury is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding whether his vertigo is caused or aggravated by service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to determine if his sleep apnea is related to his morbid obesity, which may be secondary to his service-connected spine, ankle, and hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disorders due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran's current diagnoses include arthritic conditions of the knees and ankles, but there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's limb girdle muscular dystrophy, bilateral foot disorder, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder are all granted. The Veteran's service connection for an eye disorder, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, thyroid condition, right and left hip disorders, right and left knee disorders, right and left ankle disorders, right and left toenail removal, sleep disorder, skin rash, and hysterectomy is remanded.

The claim for a heart condition has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claims for right and left ankle disabilities have been reopened based on the submission of new evidence, but service connection is denied as there is no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has not been shown to be related to service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Diabetic retinopathy was not documented during service or within one year after separation and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,A kidney condition was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,Vertigo has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not documented during service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Gout was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,A lung disability manifested by spots in the lung has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Neurological condition manifested by tremors has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left shoulder disability was not diagnosed in service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Hypertension did not have its onset during service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Erectile dysfunction was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left hip disability and right ear condition (manifested by swelling and drainage) were not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking them to service. Service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the right ankle is remanded due to evidence of worsening symptoms. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right ankle condition, finding that it is related to events during active duty.

The Board has found that further development is necessary before the claims can be properly adjudicated, and has ordered remand for obtaining VA treatment records and for providing the Veteran with contemporaneous examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left ankle disorders due to new evidence received within one year of a previous denial. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant Army Reserve treatment records, and provide the Veteran’s file to an examiner with appropriate expertise to opine on the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and for increased ratings for right hip bursitis with impairment of the thigh (hip flexion) and limitation of flexion. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran’s claim for service connection, and also denied her requests for higher ratings based on the current severity of her conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings, service connection claims, and a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claim of service connection for his right ankle disability, which may be secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence received after the initial decision. The VA will reconsider the claim based on the additional Service Treatment Records (STRs).

The claims for low back, left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for PTSD and a depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further examination and medical opinion regarding her upper body pain, low back disability, and left ankle skin condition.

The Board denied service connection for right leg edema, left leg edema, and bilateral ankle arthrosis as they are not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection was granted for IBS due to its presumptive link to Southwest Asia theater of operations service.,The Board also denied secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot and ankle disabilities manifested by frequent numbness, finding that these conditions had onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left ankle and foot disabilities are granted service connection. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied a compensable rating, but the case is remanded for further evaluation of his pulmonary embolism.