Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for right ankle strain, left calf strain, hemorrhoids, anal fistula, and positive tuberculin tine test. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist fracture is remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for a right ankle condition. The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. For his tinnitus, the Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding that it began in service and was not caused by military noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, low back, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for service connection for a right ankle disability is dismissed. Service connection and entitlement to a compensable rating are granted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied for tinnitus. The Veteran's left leg arthritis (residuals of left ankle open reduction and internal fixation) is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is denied. An evaluation of 20 percent for right ankle disability due to penetrating shell fragment wound is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which he is seeking service connection, and therefore, his claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, MDD, cannabis use disorder, and stimulant use disorder more nearly approximates a disability picture that resulted in total occupational and social impairment. A 100 percent initial rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the July 2017 VA examination is inadequate and requires a new examination to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's rhinitis, sinusitis, back, shoulder, knee, bilateral shin splits, and bilateral ankle disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's account of an in-service injury was unreliable and there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service. The Board found that the Veteran’s Major Depressive Disorder is more likely due to post-service factors.,Service connection for athletes' foot, right knee disorder, back disorder, and right ankle disorder were remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. Service connection was denied for cervical spine arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar paraspinal strain, left hip strain, right hip strain, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, numbness in the toes of the left foot and numbness in the toes of the right foot are reopened. The Board finds that VA examinations and medical opinions are necessary to determine whether these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus have been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including back condition, right knee condition, left ankle injury, right wrist condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder (to include insomnia), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar DDD with myositis was granted an increased rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The left ankle fracture disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for his left and right ankle conditions.,For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence did not show a relationship to service. For both ankles, there was no marked limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a left ankle disability is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as there is no current diagnosis associated with these conditions.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for treatment requiring convalescence for immobilization by cast from April 19, 2010 to July 31, 2010 due to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Board denied service connection for lower back condition, left ankle condition, and right ear hearing loss as the evidence did not support a nexus to active duty.