Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is granted an initial rating of 10 percent, effective from November 5, 2009. The other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities, as well as his Raynaud's syndrome, are granted service connection. The Veteran's memory loss claim is remanded for further evaluation.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar strain is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified depressive disorder, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, sciatic radicular pain, leg conditions, hip condition, low back pain, headaches, vision (claimed as bad eyes), and sarcoidosis have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, to include as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange or other dioxins. The claim for an increased rating for left ankle disability was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right-ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no showing or suggestion of arthritis within one year following separation from service. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have a direct link between his in-service ankle sprain and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle and left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to his active service or to any service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a broken left leg, right knee strain, and right ankle strain due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

Service connection is granted for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, but the claim for a right ankle disability is not addressed as it was not appealed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s posttraumatic headaches are granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s cervical spine disability is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran’s left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are both granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's thoracic spine degenerative disc disease is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied any increase in rating. A total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from September 18, 2015.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) due to lack of anatomical loss or use, blindness, or inability to walk without assistive devices. Additionally, he is not permanently bedridden or in need of regular aid and attendance as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA disability criteria.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition or functional impairment.,Service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis is denied because the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence showing these conditions were incurred during service.,Service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and right ankle disability is denied as there is no current evidence of such conditions or functional impairment.,Service connection for tubal ligation is denied because the procedure was voluntary and not due to disease or injury.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of low back pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for right ankle condition, ulcer condition, back condition, and cervical cancer are reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in February 1997.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for mild degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for a left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and lower back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of a left ankle sprain, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for hyperkeratosis of the bilateral feet and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for posttraumatic arthropathy of the right ankle are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.