Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, low back disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left chest costochondritis but denied service connection for right ankle disability. The Veteran's left chest condition is considered to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, while the right ankle issue does not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Board has denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, but has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities as well as left and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected status post right foot and ankle injury is granted a disability rating of 20 percent, but not higher.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of back, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been granted. The claim for service connection of a left ankle disability has also been granted. However, the Board has found that further development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, cervical spondylosis, and left shoulder arthritis are all granted as service connected.,The Veteran's hypertension is also granted as service connected. The rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and the rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome remain pending due to remand.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes tendonitis and laxity, is rated at a maximum of 20 percent since July 29, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's conditions, including his mental health condition, bilateral ankle conditions, and bilateral hip conditions. The reduction in disability rating for cervical spine is also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address issues of service connection, rating, and functional limitations related to the Veteran's right knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease secondary to bilateral knee disability. The Veteran is seeking a determination on whether his lumbar strain with DDD is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,Service connection for a pulmonary condition (chronic pneumonia) has not been established as there is insufficient evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a bilateral arm condition has also not been established due to lack of evidence connecting it to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of right ankle arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show marked limited motion.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current TMJ and right ankle disabilities are service-connected, but denied service connection for PTSD.,The claim for PTSD remains pending as additional evidence is needed to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, and an increase in rating for nephrolithiasis. The issues are also related to his left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for these records, and a medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The remaining claims for psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which includes osteoarthritis and left ligament strain, is rated at 20 percent. The decision grants a higher rating than the previous 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a lacerated right inner bicep with nerve damage and scar is denied due to the period of other than honorable discharge. The Board has remanded claims for psychiatric disorder, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left elbow condition, and left shoulder condition.