Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for left leg and right leg radiation burns, as well as tailbone condition (claimed as a low back condition), bilateral ankle conditions, and bilateral eye injuries including left eye injury. The case is remanded for further development regarding these issues.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities are granted as service-connected, with the conditions linked to her service-connected pes planus. Other issues remain pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for patellofemoral left knee pain, left ankle pain, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The appeals are not granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's left ankle scar, back condition, and tarsal tunnel syndrome in the left ankle are all granted. The left ankle scar is rated at a compensable level (10%). The back condition is rated at 20% prior to March 16, 2015, and 30% after that date. The tarsal tunnel syndrome in the left ankle is also rated at 10% prior to March 16, 2015, and 30% thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding private medical records and need for additional opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate notice of VA examinations and a failure to comply with previous remand directives. The Veteran is required to attend scheduled examinations or provide proper notice for cancellation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left ankle disability and his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left ankle disability, including tendonitis, which he contends is related to a left fibula fracture and/or multiple left ankle injuries during his active service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to lack of a nexus opinion linking these conditions to active duty service. The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus remains pending with new evidence not found material.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss have been granted a compensable rating, with the effective date set at September 9, 2016.,An earlier effective date for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings related to various disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and left ankle disabilities are inadequate. Therefore, these issues have been remanded to obtain updated clinical records and a new orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. A 10 percent rating is granted for left wrist tendonitis, and a 10 percent rating is also granted for right wrist tendonitis.,Service connection for bilateral ankle gout and bilateral knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's period of service from November 16, 2004 to September 1, 2009 is honorable. The Veteran’s claims for service connection are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to his honorable service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability, right ankle disability and right index finger fracture, and bilateral myofascial pain syndrome of the arms and hands have been denied.,No new evidence has been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder due to the lack of evidence of a current disability other than gout affecting both ankles. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), gout, bilateral plantar fasciitis with DJD and heel spurs, and bilateral shin splints are all remanded for further development.

The claims for service connection for left ankle injury, gout, and residuals of right knee injury have been dismissed. The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury has been denied. The claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hip disability secondary to lumbosacral and left knee disabilities are remanded.