Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected left knee strain and left ankle sprain are currently rated as non-compensable. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated information on the severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left leg disability, including range of motion and functional loss due to pain. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be held in abeyance pending resolution of the other issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbosacral strain (back condition), rating in excess of 10 percent for status post right ankle avulsion fracture, and total disability rating based upon unemployability (TDIU) due to new evidence.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed for the Veteran's cervical, lumbar, and bilateral knee conditions due to inconsistent results from previous VA examinations. The Veteran's skin condition is also remanded as her current diagnosis does not align with her claimed acne. The right and left ankle disabilities are also remanded as there is conflicting medical evidence regarding their relationship to service-connected lower back strain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's left ankle residuals, including ligament capsule strain post fracture, were granted a 30 percent disability rating from October 25, 2016. The condition is rated under the criteria for foot injuries with severe residuals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle strain with degenerative osteoarthritic changes and service connection for a vestibular disability, to include vertigo and dizziness, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected knee conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot conditions based on in-service incurrence of injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to reduce the Veteran's rating for arthritis of the right ankle from 10% to 0% in November 2001 was correct. The Veteran is seeking service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, which he claims are related to his military service. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder, back, dermatitis, right ankle, and left upper leg disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is established based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for the back disability is established due to in-service lifting duties resulting in chronic strain and functional overload. Dermatitis is linked to Gulf War exposure. Right ankle and left upper leg disabilities are secondary to service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran will need new examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, cervical spine disability, left wrist sprain, left ankle disability, musculoskeletal strain (claimed as costochondritis Tietze's syndrome), otitis media, right ear, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to new evidence of ongoing symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder as these conditions did not manifest during the Veteran's period of active duty or within one year thereafter and are not otherwise related to such service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle arthritis is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle disorder, left hand disorder, and psychiatric disorder due to missing records and inadequate reports of VA examinations. The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were terminated effective May 1, 2012, based on excessive income that included receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and military retirement pension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the evidence showing moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left hand degenerative spurs involving IP joint of the thumb and left ankle strain have been granted at a 10 percent rating each, effective November 1, 2019.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are now rated at 20 percent each, effective January 22, 2018.,An earlier effective date of January 22, 2018, is granted for a 50% rating for bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 22, 2018, is denied.