Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in previous decisions. The issues include right ankle, right shoulder, BPH, and restless leg syndrome disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded for further development on this issue.,The Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case was referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder is rated at 40 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded for further development on this issue as well.,VA will refer the Veteran's TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis to VA’s Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted with a 40% rating from October 1, 2013 onward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including cervical and lumbar spine disorders, bilateral ankle, hip, knee, shoulder, and wrist disorders. The VA examinations are needed to address continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a left shoulder injury has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD and GERD, but the issue remains remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hallux valgus with bunions and residuals of right ankle sprain, finding that the preexisting conditions clearly and unmistakably did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to ensure substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The appeals are related to increased ratings for various musculoskeletal disorders, including anxiety disorder, broken fingers, ankle issues, and cold injuries.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, right knee, low back, and left ankle conditions due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or any nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records, as well as an inadequate December 2013 VA examination. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records from Dr. C M B and any “scanned outside medical records” or “scanned documents.” A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture, including evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or illness related to any claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle condition, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent disabling based on marked limitation of motion, effective from July 26, 2018.

The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 10 percent for chronic right ankle sprain was granted from January 8, 2013 to April 15, 2019. From April 15, 2019 forward, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Board has granted multiple clothing allowances for the 2015 calendar year based on the Veteran's use of various braces and creams. The AOJ is now required to effectuate this decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected back condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's arthritis of the left ankle, left shoulder, and right knee is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected back condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected and has ordered additional records to be obtained and a new VA examination to determine if there was an in-service injury or condition related to his current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), and a left foot disability due to the need for additional information from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for right ankle disability including osteoarthritis due to a clear and unmistakable error in attributing an injury to the left ankle.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and improper scheduling of examinations for a deceased Veteran. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the left fifth metacarpal, service connection for a left ankle disability, and service connection for a right foot disability due to additional development being needed.