Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any such disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for left ankle disability prior to July 8, 2013 is denied as the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial disability rating of 20 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis with tenosynovitis. The OSA is found to be proximately due to his service-connected psychiatric and musculoskeletal disabilities, while the right ankle condition is found to have marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, gastrointestinal condition, and acquired psychiatric disability are all considered granted. The low back disability and headache disability remain pending as the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine, bilateral ankles, bilateral feet, COPD, a cardiovascular disorder, and PTSD due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent effective from April 5, 2016. His service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee remains rated at 10 percent. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ankle tendonitis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The appeal regarding an increased rating for low back disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her claim.

The Board denied service connection for various wrist, ankle, neck, back, shoulder, knee, and toe conditions as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for skin disability has not been reopened.,Service connection is denied for left shoulder and right ankle disabilities due to the need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral ankle arthralgias is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, but additional development is needed as the claim will be remanded for an examination.

Compensation for bladder cancer is denied. Service connection for cervical spine, right wrist, and right ankle disorders is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate reasons or bases in prior decisions, and because of outstanding VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on his unemployment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right ankle disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and strain with scoliosis, left knee strain, left ankle osteoarthritis, and right ankle bursitis are all remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle condition is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder DJD, and TDIU. The evidence did not support the presence of a current left ankle or right shoulder disability that was related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left ankle condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his service-connected sensorimotor neuropathy and the injury.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, right ankle condition, and right hip condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the November 2018 VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups, and the degree of functional loss during flare-ups with respect to the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, Hepatitis C, a skin rash in his groin area, amebiasis, and a skin rash on his right ankle due to insufficient medical evidence. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and active service.