Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle gout, left and right hand gout, and vision loss were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not service-connected as they did not occur during or due to military service. However, the Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected flat feet.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus but denied for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), right wrist disorder, heart disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder. The TDIU claim is also in remand status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his record, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued before any final decision can be made.

The claims for increased evaluations of the Veteran's ankle and foot disabilities, as well as her TDIU claim prior to July 28, 2013, are being remanded due to errors in rating decisions and need further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), acne keloidalis nuchae, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for a right neck mass, claimed as lump on side of neck, and tinea pedis are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service duties as an aviation ordnance loader.

Service connection is granted for right ankle tendinopathy and ligamentous instability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disorder is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right ankle condition and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with generalized anxiety disorder are granted, while fatigue is denied. The Veteran retains a 70% disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to a need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle disability, bilateral upper extremity numbness and tingling, right knee instability, and ACL reconstruction. Additional examinations are needed to address the Veteran's contentions regarding his disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle, low back, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's low back disorder, left knee patellar dislocation, and right knee patellar dislocation are granted service connection as direct service connection. The Veteran's left shin splints, right shin splints, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits was denied. The claims were remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left foot pes planus, and right foot pes planus. The claim for a right ankle disability is also reopened. Service connection will be remanded for these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination due to an inadequate VA examination prior to the rating decision, which did not assess the impact of flare-ups on the Veteran's ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection and increased rating as they involve new and relevant evidence, including outstanding Martin Army Community Hospital records.

The Veteran's lower back, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are all denied as service-connected. The claims for increased ratings for these conditions remain pending.