Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions were denied, while the claim for TDIU was granted. The effective date of a 30% rating for bronchitis is April 17, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was dismissed due to withdrawal. The appeal for TDIU was also dismissed as the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral ankle condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left ankle bone chips, status post-surgical repair with scars due to a lack of an opinion on functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being required. The issues include right hand disorder, back disorder, right ankle disorder, bilateral hammer toes, abdominal pain, OSA, joint pain, fatigue, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran is currently receiving maximum schedular evaluations for his ankle and hip disabilities, but further examination may reveal additional functional loss or other factors that could warrant higher ratings.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, depressive disorder, COPD, neurological disorders of lower extremities, and hip disorders. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture was denied as his disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left ankle disability, and rib disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to an in-service injury or event.,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of a rib disability at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood, left shoulder strain, lumbar strain, cervical strain with degenerative joint disease, and right ankle disorder have been granted. However, the claims for higher initial ratings for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient examination information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and residuals of a left ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is also requested to provide any relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle conditions have been granted. The claim for benign cortical defect (claimed as bilateral shin splints) has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection is also denied for PTSD and sleep condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of cataracts, toe nail fungus, right ankle condition, bilateral foot condition, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, respiratory condition, and skin rash have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision. The effective date of the hypertension award is also being remanded.

The Veteran's lung disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea claims are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral ankle, shoulder, hip, and leg disorders are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for low back disability, right hip disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, right hand condition (as secondary to a service connected disease or injury), dry eye syndrome, pseudofolliculitis, and diabetes. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability, and an initial compensable rating for right knee scars. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was also denied.