Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for left foot hallux valgus, left ankle disability, and left eye disability have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal conditions, hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, Parkinson’s disease, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression) have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to procedural violations and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right ankle disorder related to his service-connected left ankle condition, fatigue due to chemical exposure, diabetes mellitus possibly linked to herbicide exposure, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorder, and bladder disorder potentially caused by chemical exposure. The AOJ must verify the claimed exposures.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right ankle disorder related to his service-connected left ankle condition, fatigue due to chemical exposure, diabetes mellitus possibly linked to herbicide exposure, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorder, and bladder disorder potentially caused by chemical exposure. The AOJ must verify the claimed exposures.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left ankle disability is denied. A separate, 30 percent rating for the side effects of medications used to treat her left ankle disability is granted. The 30 percent rating for left ankle scars from December 1, 2014 is restored. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left ankle sprain. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of 13 issues, including service connection claims for various conditions and disability ratings. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle condition is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a psychiatric condition, bilateral leg condition, and right ankle condition as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's PTSD, left ankle disorder, and right hip disorder render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities. The Board has ordered additional examinations and records review to determine the impact of these conditions on employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability with his right ankle disability rating increase claim. The AOJ will address both issues concurrently.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to confusion in the service treatment records regarding which ankle was injured and required surgery. The Veteran's right ankle disability is being reviewed for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his low back condition and left ankle disability. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, right knee and right ankle disabilities due to lack of proper notice and scheduling for examinations. New examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including hip, knee, ankle, back, groin pain, and heart disease, as they were not incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle ulcers, and for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities were denied. The denial of the left ankle ulcers claim is final as no new and material evidence was received. The right and left knee disability claims were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reviewed after obtaining all relevant records.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, diagnosed as residuals of medial MAKOplasty/partial knee replacement, and left and right ankle disorders, diagnosed as ankle strain of the talofibular ligament. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions were aggravated by in-service physical training and duties.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, ocular disability, chronic cervical strain, left ankle disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, glaucoma, and bilateral hearing loss, produced total occupational impairment. The Board granted TDIU for accrued benefit purposes.

The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The claims for service connection for left leg disability, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for deformity of the right ankle with arthritis has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.