Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 or non-service-connected death pension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in multiple cases of Reiter’s syndrome with various body parts. As a result, the Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle conditions, but granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has found that the Veteran's period of service from July 19, 1974 to July 18, 1977 is honorable. The appeal for service connection during this period is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development, particularly regarding the Veteran's assertions of in-service back injuries and aggravation by his job.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, including arthritis, is related to her period of active duty service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disability, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as gas, constipation, diarrhea), gastroesophageal reflux disease (claimed as acid reflux), back disability, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence supporting a current diagnosis or etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches on a presumptive basis. The cases of low back, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left ankle disorder and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for asthma were denied. The Veteran was granted a 50% evaluation for PTSD with depression, but the issue is subject to further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied.,Service connection for colon cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer were all denied.,Service connection for left knee disorder and right knee disorder were both denied.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including cerebrovascular accident, left hip condition, right hip condition, lumbosacral spine condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension. The decision also remanded several issues related to knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and missing National Guard unit records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left ankle, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities, as well as a left knee disability secondary to a left ankle disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a 20 percent rating. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was increased to 20 percent in December 2018. The case is remanded for further development regarding his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The right ankle disability, excluding surgical periods, is denied an increased rating to more than 20 percent. The left lower extremity radiculitis (femoral) is granted a 20 percent initial rating. Other issues are remanded.

The appeals for service connection and increased ratings for hearing loss, left ankle sprain residuals, bilateral neurologic disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed. The case is remanded for additional examinations to determine the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to concerns about the effective dates of his service connection awards and the need for medical opinions regarding the onset and chronicity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee and right ankle disabilities due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand/wrist, low back, and left ankle conditions due to a fall from a ladder in-service. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist condition, bilateral ankle tendinitis, and low back condition were granted. The petitions for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore denied all claims of service connection.