Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for malaria was denied. The appeals for service connection for back, left ankle, right ankle, bilateral foot (pes planus), bilateral eyesight loss, and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right ankle tendonitis, left ankle tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis due to potential inconsistencies in his medical records. The RO is instructed to obtain any missing treatment records from chiropractors and emergency departments where he sought treatment prior to 1992.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation was remanded due to the lack of loss of use in either lower extremity. The effective date for increased rating Crohn's disease remains January 15, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new medical opinions from a qualified VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg condition and a left ankle condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar muscle strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current left ankle disability is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right ankle disability was granted. However, the Board denied the claim on the merits as there is no evidence of a current diagnosed right ankle disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are granted service connection. His sinusitis is granted a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons provided in the June 2017 decision, including not considering the Veteran's lay statements and the VA examiner's opinion. The case is now back with the Board for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left ankle and gout disabilities, requiring further examination and studies.

The Veteran's right ankle tendinopathy with degenerative joint disease is now rated at 20 percent effective from September 19, 2017. The initial rating for her right shoulder tendonitis remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, and his right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating.

The Veteran's left ankle limitation of motion is granted a rating of 20 percent. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include dysthymic and anxiety disorder, was reopened and granted.

The Veteran's right and left ankle pain are granted service connection as they are presumed related to his active service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's right ear otitis externa is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for right and left hip disabilities as well as right and left ankle sprains.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, to include right ankle strain, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and prior fracture of the left ankle are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left ankle condition, and head scar from skin cancer are being remanded for further development as the Board finds that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's contentions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination and issues with notification of the appointment. The Veteran is also requested to provide complete records from his treatment at VA medical facilities.