Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for various disabilities remain pending and need to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 90 percent disabling since September 23, 2012. The Board has granted restoration of disability ratings for migraines, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as TDIU from September 23, 2012 to September 22, 2013.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back pain, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee disability, and right ankle injury residuals due to new and material evidence. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The neck condition claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.,Your claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, hepatitis C, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several service connection claims and the reopening of a claim, resulting in their dismissal.

Service connection for IBS and chronic headache disorder has been granted. Service connection for left and right ankle disorders is denied.,A 40% rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than June 12, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hip, right knee, and right ankle disorders have been dismissed. The claims to reopen his back and left knee disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability was dismissed. Service connection for a low back disorder is granted, but the issue of service connection for a left ankle disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including right and left ankle disabilities, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, shoulder and knee conditions, and bilateral plantar fasciotomies. The appeals are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability began during active service and is related to a 2011 injury in service. As such, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee tendonitis status post cruciate ligament repair, and left ankle disability status post ligament repair have been denied. The evidence did not show the required functional loss or ankylosis to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has granted clothing allowances for the Veteran's back brace and ankle brace in 2015, but denied a clothing allowance for the topical pain medication lidocaine.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her left ankle and varicose veins disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, a right foot disability, and functional diarrhea. The appeals seeking service connection for fibromyalgia and CFS have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a right ankle disability is denied. The earliest possible effective date is June 18, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities, finding that further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service or secondary to his existing service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and bilateral foot/ankle disabilities are remanded.,Service connection cannot be granted for the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and tinnitus disabilities due to lack of a current disability diagnosis or evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Board has also denied service connection for his left shoulder and bilateral foot/ankle disabilities as there is no evidence of an in-service event, injury, or continuous symptoms since service.