Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for post-operative residuals of a right ankle injury, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and total left knee replacement have been denied. The maximum schedular rating has already been awarded for each condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, right hand disability, and bilateral ankle disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left ankle arthritis and posterior tibialis tendonitis since January 13, 2012 is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right ankle arthritis and posterior tibialis tendonitis since January 13, 2012 is also being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The reduction of the ratings for service-connected back disability and right ankle disability from 40% to 10% was proper due to improvement in the severity of the disabilities, warranting restoration of the original ratings.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of being housebound is denied, but his claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted. The Board found that the Veteran requires assistance with activities of daily living due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, initial compensable rating, and initial rating in excess of 10 percent were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. Service connection claims were also dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and constipation. The decision found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities, finding that the conditions are not related to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of various joints, all secondary to his service-connected psoriasis. The appeals are remanded for further development regarding an increased rating for psoriasis.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities as they are found to have had their onset during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a lack of compliance with previous directives.

The Board denied service connection for loss of use bilateral feet, neurogenic bladder, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected spondylosis. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left ankle post-traumatic arthritis is granted a rating of 20 percent, the highest available under the schedule. A compensable initial rating for a left ankle scar is also granted.

The Veteran's right foot disability is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, prior to October 4, 2017. After that date, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU on a schedular basis is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease and fibula-talar tear, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support this determination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, right ankle, and low back disabilities should be remanded due to incomplete information about his service records and potential new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for low back, right hip, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, diabetes, hypertension, ankle conditions, knee conditions, and low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, skin condition (claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure), and headaches. The remand requires additional medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.