Ankle decisions — 2019

The reduction in the Veteran's disability evaluation for bilateral DJD of the ankles from 20% to 10% was improper, and a restoration of the 20% rating is granted. The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as tinea versicolor and xerosis cutis, is found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disorders, right and left ankle disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and a dental disorder, were denied as new and material evidence was not received to establish a nexus to service.,Specifically, the ROs denied reopening of service connection for these conditions based on lack of medical nexus to service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and duodenal ulcer is granted.,TDIU is also granted for hallux valgus of the right foot and hallux valgus of the left foot as these conditions are separately rated at 10 percent each.,The effective dates for the separate grants of service connection and evaluations for hallux valgus of the right foot and hallux valgus of the left foot are set to August 18, 2014.,TDIU is also granted for duodenal ulcer as it is rated at 60 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and anemia. The evidence does not support finding that any of these conditions are related to active service or events therein.,There is no current diagnosis of a chronic left ankle disorder or arthritis, nor was such found within one year following separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorders were denied in March 2007 and March 2009, but granted with a 10% rating effective May 3, 2011.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and wrist conditions claimed as due to exposure to hazards during the Persian Gulf War. The Veteran's joint pain is attributed to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded as new evidence does not establish a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back strain, but remanded his claims for bilateral ankle condition and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if it warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits is granted as she served at least 30 continuous days and was discharged under other than dishonorable conditions due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ankle condition and status post rotator cuff tear, right shoulder due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran needs further examinations to clarify diagnoses and provide etiology opinions.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the increased disability ratings and service connection claims. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the withdrawal request.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating claim for depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim of service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's back disability will need to be examined and a new opinion provided regarding whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of right hand condition, bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, and left ankle condition. The neck condition appeal is remanded.

The reduction from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability was improper, and the rating has been restored to 20 percent effective February 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's left ankle condition was also denied as it is not related to his service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete records, requiring an additional attempt to obtain his service treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted service connection as it was incurred in service. However, the residuals of tongue surgery are denied as they resulted from the Veteran's own willful misconduct.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed both issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability and left ankle disability.