Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for actinic keratosis and skin growth, left shoulder disability, and right ankle disability have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, left calf, right calf, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and left hand disabilities due to a lack of current diagnoses.,There is no evidence of any diagnosed conditions related to these issues during or within one year after the Veteran's periods of active service.

The Veteran's shin splints, head injury with scar, right-hand fracture (fifth metacarpal), and right ankle strain claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture, as well as the effective date issue. The Veteran's current left knee disability is being examined to determine its etiology, and his left ankle disability is being evaluated for severity.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee proximal patellar tendinosis and right ankle strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries. Service connection was denied for a right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and tinnitus as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for sacroiliac joint pain. The remaining issues of service connection for other back disorders, ankle, knee, hip, and neck conditions are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board denied service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, and shin disorders based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% prior to December 13, 2017 and at 40% thereafter. The ratings for right ankle tendonitis and left ankle tendonitis are denied. A TDIU was granted for the period before December 13, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA medical records. The Board also ordered VA examinations to determine if the Veteran has each of his claimed disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right knee or right ankle disabilities, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for back pain is being remanded.,The Veteran's request to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for right medial meniscectomy, posterior tear, is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain and left ankle tendonitis/arthritis do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant or specially adapted housing due to their impact on locomotion.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hand disorder, and left ankle disorder have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered service-connected due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation from service. The left hand disorder is also considered service-connected as it is a chronic disease that developed within one year of separation from service. However, the left ankle disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no in-service incurrence or development of a compensable disability within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, left ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, right ear hearing loss, CFS, and memory loss have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.,The claim for TBI residuals has been remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right ankle strain and his service-connected left ankle fracture residuals, as well as the potential development of arthritis in the right ankle joint.

The claims for service connection for left index finger injury, bilateral ankle disorder, and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied as the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected right foot disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these ankle disabilities are proximately due to or caused by his service-connected right foot disability.