Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for a chest infection with breathing problems was dismissed. The claims for service connection for left foot pain, left knee pain, high blood pressure, and various lower extremity disabilities were granted. The remaining issues of service connection for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ankle sprain is remanded due to the need for updated VA clinical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle disability, surgical scar on the left ankle, and pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face and groin have all been denied. The current ratings are deemed appropriate based on the severity of each condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all the claims as they are related to a deceased appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, residuals of a left ankle injury, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been reopened.,Tinnitus has been granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's right ankle and PTSD disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation, including obtaining recent medical records and scheduling examinations. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the right ankle and PTSD claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, and liver cancer, are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age or any nonservice-connected disorders. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, liver disability (including hepatitis C), right ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, and cervical spine disability, are remanded due to missing records and incomplete treatment information.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is related to service and service connection for this condition has been granted. The issues regarding a right ankle disability and shin splints are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial ratings assigned for various service-connected disabilities, including Traumatic Brain Injury, Cervical Spine Disability, Left Shoulder Disability, Right Shoulder Disability, Lumbar Spine Disability, and others.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for bilateral hearing loss and left eye disability. The initial rating of PTSD prior to April 27, 2017, is granted at a 70% level. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, right ankle, left hip, low back strain, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and headaches conditions as they may be related to his service-connected flat feet condition.,For the heart condition claim, a new VA examination is required due to conflicting in-service medical records.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent since January 20, 2013. The Board has now granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the disability, effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition required more than one daily insulin injection and regulation of activities. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he needed regular assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle condition and left knee condition were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for sleep apnea was reopened, but remains on remand.,The Board found that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence for his left ankle and left knee conditions, as the provided evidence was cumulative or redundant. However, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) is now on remand.