Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a separate 10 percent rating, and TDIU is granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating, and service connection for residuals of stress fractures of lesser trochanter of right femoral neck and internal derangement of right hip, as well as left ankle strain and residuals of stress fractures of right ankle are all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle/foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition and that any current disability is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability was previously denied, and new evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection is not granted for pancreatitis or hypertension as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion or ankylosis, and thus denied a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for shin splints, right shoulder disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities.,Service connection is granted for esophageal diverticulum, dumping syndrome, pancreatitis, anemia, syncope, heart condition, hypertension, back condition, asthma, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection is granted for headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for right hip, left hip, left knee, and lower back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a right ankle disability and its relation to service. The Veteran's right leg disability claim is also being reviewed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the service connection claims for left ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle achilles tendon rupture, thyroid disorder, right lower extremity hip replacement, sleep apnea, and left shoulder surgery bone spur. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, and will consider them again after obtaining VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right ankle fracture with hardware placement at the distal fibula is being remanded due to a lack of compliance with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2017).

The Board has dismissed the issue of a rating in excess of 60 percent for a right knee disability. The issues of a rating in excess of 30 percent for a left knee disability and service connection for a left ankle disability are remanded due to further development and examination being necessary.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, trimalleolar fracture left ankle; an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) with coronary artery bypass grafting associated with herbicide exposure; and entitlement to an effective date earlier than August 27, 2015, for the grant of service connection for CAD. The Board has also determined that a TDIU issue must be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for various knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, a right ankle disability, residuals of a groin injury, and GERD. The cases are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, low back pain, and insomnia due to outstanding treatment records and a need for medical opinions regarding the nature and origin of his disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for sinusitis and granted a rating of 30 percent for residuals of right great toe fracture. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.