Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 50% disability rating effective March 27, 2018. Separate ratings of 10% were assigned for hallux valgus and malunion or nonunion of tarsal or metatarsal bones in both feet from March 27, 2018.

The Veteran's right great toe degenerative changes are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran is granted a rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease status-post myocardial infarction from July 3, 2013 to November 3, 2015.

The Board has determined that the VA examination for the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities is inadequate and requires additional evaluation. The Veteran will need to undergo a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability, particularly during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with disc disease and traumatic arthritis, as well as claims for service connection for various conditions, were denied. The Veteran was also denied a temporary total evaluation for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to deficiencies in the most recent VA examination report and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, spine, and ankle issues, as well as gastrointestinal and migraine headaches, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection based on his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for chronic left ankle strain and achilles tendonitis with a tear. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board has decided to remand for further medical opinion regarding whether his PTSD contributed to his death or if his esophageal cancer was due to in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal for a right ankle condition is dismissed. The left ankle condition and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, residual of right injury with secondary vision loss, and open angle glaucoma due to lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities resulting from his period of service.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC higher than (m) plus (k) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under section 1114(o). The Veteran has more than one disability rated at 100 percent, but does not have two or more separate and distinct disabilities that would qualify him for SMC rates listed in subsections (l) through (n).

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for right ankle and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide identification of sources for any private treatment records, and new VA examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected right and left ankle degenerative joint disease is denied as the evidence does not show he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, spondylosis of the cervical spine, right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), left CTS, a right foot disorder, and right ankle tenosynovitis and tendinopathy were all denied as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, subject to legal authority. The claims of entitlement to service connection for obesity, sleep apnea, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left ankle condition, as well as a review of his left knee disability. The issues are related to service connection and rating for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability, left ankle disability, and bilateral tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The cases are being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 19, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and the need for addendum opinions regarding aggravation of disabilities by a service-connected right ankle disability.