Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from November 14, 2012 through December 31, 2012. The case was remanded for an extra-schedular TDIU prior to this date, but the Director of Compensation Service denied the claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and degenerative joint disease of the entire body were not shown to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of asbestosis or any related lung disorder in the Veteran’s records. The claim for asbestosis was denied.,Periodontal disease was already service-connected, so a new claim for it was denied.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle edema was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee tendonitis. The issues of severance of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, right knee arthralgia, heart murmur, and bilateral ankle disorder as these issues were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety/depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is rated as 20 percent disabling, and the claims for higher ratings for his right knee and left knee osteoarthritis are remanded. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his right ankle disability. The initial rating claim for PTSD remains denied.

A rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for a right knee disability is granted from October 4, 2012 onward.,A rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for a right ankle strain is granted from February 26, 2018, onward.

The previously denied claims for right knee and right ankle conditions have been reopened.,Prostate cancer has been granted service connection, but a compensable rating for sinusitis is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity disabilities necessitate the use of a LEFT ankle foot orthosis (AFO) and LEFT knee brace. The Board has ordered remand to gather additional evidence regarding clothing allowance claims for these devices.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including post-traumatic arthritis and instability, is rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for cervical spine strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a right ankle sprain has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is not properly rated, and the Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule an examination to assess the current severity of the condition.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a thyroid disorder is denied. The claims for increased ratings for left ankle, left foot, and varicose veins of the legs are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims for higher ratings remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a medically-unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar strain (claimed as back tendonitis), left ankle strain (claimed as tendonitis), bilateral hip strain (claimed as tendonitis), and left knee strain (claimed as left knee tendonitis) with degenerative joint disease of the right knee were also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee sprain and left ankle sprain was granted. The right knee sprain is rated at 10%, while the left ankle sprain is rated at 20%.

The Board has expanded the issue to include whether a change in the stated employment goal is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his attempts to obtain employment. The case is being remanded for an additional functional capacity evaluation, as well as for the Veteran to provide evidence of unsuccessful job attempts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle arthrodesis, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia and total knee arthroplasty, posttraumatic stress disorder, left ankle arthroplasty, tinnitus, right hip degenerative joint disease, and left hip degenerative joint disease, are found to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, finding that they are related to his active military service.