Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including skin disorders, hearing loss, bladder disorders, heart conditions, kidney diseases, and extremity impairments have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service exposure to toxic substances.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation, particularly regarding his back disorder. The claims of service connection for morbid obesity, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and TDIU are also pending.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The Veteran's current diagnoses include osteochondritis desiccans and lateral collateral ligament sprain, but there is no indication of arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete examination reports and failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The claim for service connection for TBI has been reopened based on new and material evidence. The claims for increased evaluations of the right knee and ankle strain are being remanded, as is the claim for an earlier effective date for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The claim for major depressive disorder remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for TBI residuals. The low back disability was remanded, and the TDIU issue is still pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed below. The Veteran must provide any further medical evidence not currently in VA's possession regarding her alleged service-connected disabilities. The case should be handled expeditiously.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The right little finger fracture and arthritis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint right forefoot were not granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial ratings due to incomplete notification of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, finding that the current disability is related to an injury sustained during active duty for training.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is dismissed as he withdrew his claim prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The claim to reopen the low back disability was denied because no new and material evidence was presented, and the Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Tinnitus is granted as service connection is established due to acoustic trauma during active service.,GERD is granted as service connection is established based on symptoms in-service and continuity of symptoms since service.,Left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,Rash on the hands and arms is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,Headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left hip, right hip, and left ankle disabilities, as well as his PTSD with secondary alcohol dependence, require additional examinations to assess their current severity. The appeals are therefore being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into whether the Veteran sustained disabilities from a slip and fall accident at a VA medical facility in April 2011.

The Veteran's claim of an initial rating higher than 30 percent for chronic pain disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including sleep apnea, right and left shoulder disabilities, a left and right wrist disability, a right ankle disability, and a right foot disability. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation benefits pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right ankle sprain, and has remanded the issue of service connection for a sinus condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus from November 4, 2008 to September 29, 2015 is denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to September 17, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.