Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extensions of temporary total convalescence ratings for his left and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Providence Portland Medical Center and Radiology Specialists Northwest in Portland, Oregon on April 20, 2014 due to lack of prior authorization and failure to meet the criteria for emergency treatment.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis with meniscus tear is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle and knee disabilities. The ratings for the right knee strain and right ankle disability are granted, but the appeal is denied in part due to proper reduction of ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various types of arthritis in multiple joints have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or credible evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle disability, claimed as secondary to his right ankle disability, has been granted. His request for a 20 percent rating for his service-connected right ankle disability is also granted, effective January 1, 2015. The appeal regarding PTSD and bilateral wrist disabilities remains pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various foot, knee, and hip conditions that are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions considering the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The VA will review these claims again after obtaining updated treatment records and conducting further evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnoses for left clavicle and right ankle disorders. The only evidence of these conditions is a post-service motor vehicle accident in 2007.,For cervical spine, lumbar spine, and knee disorders, the Veteran has current diagnoses but there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral knee and ankle disorders, liver failure, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, respiratory cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings for his service-connected left ankle fracture and residual scars are remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated treatment records.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and other conditions. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU since September 27, 2011.,Prior to September 27, 2011, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, the evidence suggests that his service-connected disabilities may impact his employability and should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's right leg disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right ankle disability is separately rated at 10 percent. The issues of service connection for a right shoulder disorder and the rating for both disabilities are resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active military service. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to insufficient medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle fusion, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 28, 2007. An effective date of December 28, 2007 is granted for the award of a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as new and material evidence was submitted. The claims are now remanded to determine the etiology of any current bilateral ankle arthralgia.