Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a disability for VA purposes.,Allergies, claimed as hay fever, service connection was remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disabilities were all remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.,Service connection for a heart disability (irregular heartbeat), hypertension, and allergies were also remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied and the Veteran's appeal must be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, right ankle disability, residuals of eye injury, right ear disability, and right toe disability due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for sleep apnea was granted. His claims for increased ratings on left and right ankle DJD, hypertension, and for a chronic left knee disorder were denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the finally disallowed bilateral ankle/lower leg condition is granted. The issue of service connection for a bilateral ankle/lower leg condition, which was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or service-connected pes planus, is remanded and reopened based on new evidence showing that his current ankle/lower leg conditions may be aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and residuals of a left foot fracture due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran regarding podiatry records.,The Veteran is advised to provide valid contact information for his podiatrist so that relevant medical records can be requested.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of whether Reiter's syndrome is an active process since June 2014 examination, as well as determining if other orthopedic disorders are chronic residuals.

The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the ankles and feet. The Veteran was previously granted a 10 percent evaluation for her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, but she now seeks higher evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including right knee, ankle, hip, and low back DJD. The claims are being reviewed due to incomplete medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than March 1, 2016 for CRDP payments is denied because he did not have a combined disability rating of at least 50 percent until after February 25, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate reasons and basis for their determinations, requiring further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records, particularly those related to Active Duty Training and Inactive Duty Training.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities were granted a 20% rating as of May 10, 2018. The prior ratings for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's lumbar muscle strain with degenerative disc disease, left ankle sprain with hair line fracture, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have all been granted service connection.,Service connection for anxiety depression with psychotic features to include alcohol and drug abuse is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's conditions, while rated at 70% each, do not meet the criteria for SMP benefits due to need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of his pending claims regarding his left ankle disability and a potential reopening of his service connection claim for a left foot and leg disorder.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent and his insomnia disorder at 30 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his right ankle condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, neck, right ankle, and headaches conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's TDIU claim due to new evidence added after the SOC, and because the Veteran wishes to appeal this issue. The AOJ will need to consider this new evidence and clarify whether the Veteran wants a hearing on his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis and the preponderance of evidence does not support an in-service injury resulting in a current disability.