Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating for right inguinal hernia was denied, and his service connection claims for left shoulder disability, lumbosacral strain, and left ankle disability were not granted. The claim for right thumb disability is pending remand.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain has been established based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle instability, left ankle instability, right great toe instability, left great toe instability, and low back dysfunction with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum available rating for limitation of motion. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The appellant's left knee osteoarthritis claim remains in appellate status, while his generalized anxiety disorder claim requires a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including back, knee, hip, ankle, and gunshot wound to the neck. The reasons include insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning February 4, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of low back and/or tailbone injury, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and left ankle disorder have all been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or in-service events that would support these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for arthritis of the spine, right ankle condition, and right hip condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Creutzfeld-Jacob disease was denied. The right ankle disability is granted with a rating of 20 percent, but the left foot and psychiatric disabilities are remanded due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking them to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a right ankle condition, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions during or recent to the pendency of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for fractures of the right long finger, left index finger, left long finger, left ring finger, and left little finger. Service connection was granted for a right ankle disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenail of the left great toe, and right ankle strain as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle stress fracture as the evidence did not support that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities, as well as her lichen sclerosus, granuloma annulare, painful appendectomy scar, scar secondary to appendectomy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia to include diverticulosis. The Veteran is also remanded for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on issues related to his right ankle condition, initial rating for migraines prior to April 13, 2017, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for migraines after that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to his failure to report for VA examinations and his testimony that he was homeless during the time examination notices were sent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, evaluation of residuals of a right acromioclavicular joint separation, and whether the reduction in the rating for residuals of a left ankle osteochondral fracture was proper. The appeals are pending and will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was denied for a left ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding private medical records relevant to the Veteran's claims and has ordered their retrieval. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private medical records from her providers.