Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for mild degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and foot with plantar fasciitis, mild degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and foot with plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for IBS and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle sprain due to inadequate medical opinions and failed attempts to schedule VA examinations.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction, mood disorder, and sleep apnea is granted. Effective dates are set at April 12, 2016. Service connection for other conditions remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a new examination that includes testing of range of motion, flare-ups, and additional functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for SMC based on housebound status due to issues with obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle/foot braces do not cause wear and tear to his clothing, as determined by the VAMC Chief of Prosthetics. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to clothing allowances for these braces.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including low back, left hip, right thigh/hip, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The decision found that these conditions were not related to his service or service-connected right knee disability.

The appeal to reopen service connection for PTSD is dismissed as moot. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, hepatitis C, left leg disability, right leg disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in findings regarding inversion deformity of the right ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential exposure to ionizing radiation and/or herbicides. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the May 2015 rating decision were denied. The July 2015 rating decision was not addressed due to a procedural issue with the VA Form 9 submission.

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,A 10 percent disability rating is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, with pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability due to residuals of a total right knee replacement, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent, and the left ankle disability was not rated as it did not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.,The initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus and left foot arthritis with calcaneal spur is being remanded due to an incomplete VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right leg disability, claimed as a leg injury, is related to his service-connected back disability and should be granted. However, due to incomplete examination findings, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), cervical spine DDD and IVDS, left ankle OA, and OSA as secondary to cervical spine DDD and IVDS have been granted.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle conditions due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The case is now pending for further development.