Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his left ankle fracture and instability, as well as a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for a service-connected condition requiring convalescence, were both denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, right wrist, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted with a rating of 40 percent. Service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities are granted, but the case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of sciatica and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively related to in-service herbicide exposure. The issue of service connection for the left ankle condition is remanded due to lack of a complete Notice of Disagreement and potential nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to a lack of service treatment records. The VA is required to provide an examination where the information and evidence of record does not contain sufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left ankle disorder have been denied. The Board has remanded these issues.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right wrist condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete service treatment records and lack of verification of periods of active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, bilateral ankle, hypertension, and cerebellar cyst disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle conditions are granted as secondary to her service-connected tibial stress fractures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ankle condition are not related to service, thus denying service connection for both conditions. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD. The effective date of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has found that there is new evidence associated with the file, including enlistment records and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded so they can be reviewed again by the AOJ.

Your initial rating for lumbar spine condition has been increased to 40 percent effective October 29, 2014. Your right ankle, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions have each received a 10 percent initial rating effective October 29, 2014.,Your residuals of traumatic brain injury have also been rated as 10 percent disabling effective October 29, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fracture and sprain of the left ankle was denied. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and respiratory disorder due to secondary service-connected back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle condition and remanded the cases of right ankle, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral pes planus due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the increased rating for a left ankle disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the criteria to establish a qualifying hearing loss disability have not been met.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as her condition is causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his hip, knee, ankle, lumbar spine, and radiculopathy conditions. The claims are also remanded for a rating in excess of the current 10 percent ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and right ankle.