Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, anemia, enlarged prostate, right ankle condition, and high blood pressure. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,There are no current diagnoses or evidence linking the Veteran's conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for tachycardia, right patellar tendon bursitis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), left lower extremity sciatica, left foot and ankle strain, right foot and ankle strain, and left thigh muscle atrophy are all denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tachycardia or hypertension. Her other claims for higher ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle and heel pain are attributed to a pre-existing condition, plantar fasciitis. Service connection for this condition is denied.,There is no evidence of left ear hearing loss during service or at any time since service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for IBS due to Gulf War service is granted based on the Veteran's history and symptoms, which are presumed to be related to his period of service in Southwest Asia.,VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has current bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection will depend on whether this condition can be linked to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any back disorder, including determining if it is related to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to determine the presence and etiology of bilateral knee disorders. Service connection will depend on whether these conditions are linked to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including determining if it is related to service or a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss during service or at any time since service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for a headache disorder with neck pain was denied. The claims for service connection for right leg shortening and right knee disorder were reopened, but the service connection itself is not addressed. The claim for restoration of the 10% disability rating for right ankle fracture was remanded.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's left ankle sprain condition will need to be re-evaluated for functional loss during flare-ups, pain, weakness, or fatigue.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various knee, ankle, and hearing disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including lower back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle musculoskeletal conditions, skin disability, headaches, and eye disability. The examination results will determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination. The RO will obtain additional treatment records, schedule examinations, and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis and dislocation, as well as bilateral ankle arthritis, venous insufficiency, and sprain. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, wrist, knee, ankle, and respiratory disabilities, were denied as there was no evidence of current disability or a link to service.,Service connection is also denied for an enlarged prostate and bilateral testicle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, a low back disorder, and bilateral eye disorder (claimed as left eye glaucoma) have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for frostbite of the ankles and feet has also been denied.

The Veteran's Bell’s palsy was denied as it is not related to service or any service-connected disability.,The appellant withdrew her appeal for increased ratings of hemorrhoids, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, chondromalacia patella (left knee), chondromalacia patella (right knee), pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchopneumonia, peptic ulcer disease and gastritis, prostatitis, and pyelonephritis.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran had new and material evidence to reopen her claims of service connection for right hand tendonitis and left hand tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of right ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, and left hip bursitis due to inconsistencies in previous examinations and need for further clarification on the relationship between these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 10% rating, but not higher. The back and left thigh neuropathy cases are remanded for further development. Service connection claims for left knee condition and chronic pain syndrome are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left ankle disability and IBS were denied. The Board found that the current 10% and 30% ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including knee and back conditions, radiculopathy, ankle disability, and limitation of extension. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information regarding his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with previous remand directives and requires additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims for service connection.