Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice provided regarding the Veteran's personal assault claim for PTSD. The right ankle condition is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's left wrist condition is rated at the maximum level, and his right ankle sprain warrants a 10 percent evaluation. The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to new evidence, but further development is needed before it can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability or due to VA treatment, and the cause of death (respiratory failure with secondary colon cancer) is unrelated to his service.,VA failed to diagnose a fatal condition that contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with effective dates ranging from October 31, 2009 to July 13, 2011. The decision also includes a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The Board found that the Veteran met the criterion for aid and attendance benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for back, right hip, right leg, right ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from October 24, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has decided that a remand is required due to the Veteran reporting more severe symptoms and the last examination not reporting whether he suffers from ankylosis, as well as it being almost 5 years since his last examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, headaches, hepatitis C, and fatigue/malaise due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims for disabilities of the back, right shoulder, hips, knees, and ankles are inextricably intertwined with the claim for hepatitis C.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of these claims during his July 2018 hearing. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and a left knee condition, as well as their secondary relationship. The claims are being reviewed on a de novo basis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, to include as secondary to her service-connected right ankle osteochondritis dessicans, and denied her request for a disability evaluation greater than 10 percent for her right ankle osteochondritis dessicans.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding the timeliness of his notices of disagreement and entitlement to a higher rating for left knee disability. The appeal was also dismissed as he withdrew his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle and foot conditions, as well as acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's service-connected right leg disability may be contributing to his current right ankle and foot disabilities, and any psychiatric disorder present during the claim period is likely related to his chronic pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was insufficient evidence of an in-service disease or injury and a current disability. The new evidence received since the November 2014 rating decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right ankle disorder and cellulitis.

Service connection for blurred vision, high blood pressure, chest pain, left foot disability, left ankle disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, heart condition, sinus condition, right hand condition, and shin bone pain have been reopened.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) has not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, as well as to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected left ankle or low back disabilities caused or aggravated his claimed hip and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the residuals of a right ankle fracture was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,His claim for service connection for a left wrist condition is granted, but remanded due to insufficient evidence.