Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle, low back, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, and chronic pain/fibromyalgia disorders. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left heel spur, and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn. The Board has not found a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded for further examination and opinion. His right ankle tendonitis and bilateral knee disabilities are also remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ankle and knee disorders are related to service, but more information is needed regarding the onset of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle disability, GERD, back disability, psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, and ankle disabilities as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities due to lack of an adequate opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings for hypertension, rectal sphincter control, hemorrhoids, left ear hearing loss, low back arthritis, and bilateral ankle arthritis. The claim for a higher rating for depressive disorder was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disorders due to new evidence received since the August 2006 rating decision. However, the claims are still remanded as further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left foot disability is granted a rating of 30 percent prior to September 20, 2010. The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether his left ankle strain and right ankle strain are related to service-connected disabilities. His claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of his knees have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran needs new examinations to determine if her current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), other than a cognitive disorder not otherwise specified was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of any residual TBI, and therefore, there were no residuals to grant service connection.,For the right ankle scar, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating prior to June 14, 2017 was denied as the scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The evidence showed that the scar was not painful or unstable and constituted less than 929 square centimeters.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability has been denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disorder is being remanded for further development.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, chronic left sternoclavicular joint disorder, left foot disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The appeal for PTSD has also been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, finding no current diagnosis of such condition. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability was dismissed as there is no case or controversy remaining due to its resolution in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's knee conditions are related to service, as well as to evaluate his hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The Veteran's claims file must be reviewed by an appropriate medical professional to provide clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral foot condition and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The claims are pending until further notice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional information and evidence.,Service connection is being considered for various conditions, including a right ankle strain, bilateral hearing loss, obesity, syrinx of thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine disability (including syrinx), hypertension, and left arm numbness.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD with TBI and headaches, as well as left ankle disability were granted effective from June 19, 2012, and July 16, 2012 respectively.,An earlier effective date request was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a skin condition is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, right ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, and left epididymal cyst were not granted initial compensable ratings. The service-connected obstructive sleep apnea was granted a rating of 50 percent.