Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's left ankle disability and low back disability are related to service.

The Veteran's right ankle traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were not related to service, while his right lower radiculopathy was first noted in August 2010.,Service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right ankle is denied as it did not have onset in service or manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia, was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for schizophrenia but not for PTSD. The claims for left and right ankle conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded several claims related to service connection for various conditions, including headaches, hypertension, ankle disorders, flat feet, and knee disorders. The Veteran is also being asked to provide private medical records for his treatment of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disorder and left ankle/foot disorder have been reopened, but the claim for respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure has not.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current right shoulder disorder and left ankle/foot disorder. The VA will conduct further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and right hip arthritis to obtain additional private treatment records. The claim for service connection for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has remained relatively stable, with no evidence of marked limitation of motion. The Board denied an increased rating as the manifestations did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain and right ankle pain, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and other issues were also denied.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a definitive opinion and potential missing records. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain relevant records from his incarceration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates ranging from August 11, 1995 to September 17, 2014. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability has also been granted.

The Board has determined that additional medical records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection. The AOJ must ensure that the examiner’s nexus opinions correspond with the examination report of the joint being addressed.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for a back brace used due to her service-connected PTSD and other disabilities is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right ankle degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee meniscus tear with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left ankle disability due to inadequate consideration of evidence and failure to provide adequate rationale in the previous VA opinions.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and other service-connected conditions have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a TDIU rating. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 6, 2015 is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left knee sprain, instability, and scar are granted initial ratings. The Veteran's left ankle strain is granted an initial rating. Bilateral hearing loss remains denied. Service connection for rhinitis, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and hypertension are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond October 1, 2014, following left ankle surgery on June 12, 2014, as there was no evidence of continued need for convalescence or severe postoperative residuals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right ankle disability was not rated higher than 10%. Service connection for bilateral knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and sleep apnea were all denied as new evidence did not relate to the unestablished facts necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability due to an in-service injury. The Veteran is not currently service-connected for her bilateral ankle or right leg pain.