Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's increased ratings for his sleep apnea, bilateral maxillary sinusitis, and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as restless leg syndrome of the lower extremities. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.,The Veteran's claims were reviewed on a de novo basis due to new and material evidence received after a previous denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle arthritis is denied due to lack of limitation of motion and no evidence of pain or other symptoms that would warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he did not serve during a period of war, nor was his service connected with any disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records that may be pertinent to the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist sprain is remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion from the March 2017 VA examiner regarding whether any preexisting right distal radius fracture was aggravated by active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records that may be pertinent to the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, kidney stone, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and sleep disturbances. The AOJ is instructed to ensure all relevant records are translated and obtain appropriate medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle tendonitis was denied. The claim for fibromyalgia, a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness related to Southwest Asia service, was granted. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were both denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to issues with the examination reports and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim of service connection for a left ankle disability is being remanded, while increased ratings for right knee and right ankle osteoarthritis are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. TDIU is granted beginning December 30, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue was reopened, but the claims for hernia, left knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for left knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities are being remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and right ankle limitation of dorsiflexion are granted. Ischemic heart disease is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure, while the right ankle condition is presumed as it began during combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right leg disabilities, including foot and ankle arthralgia. The examination is needed to determine if any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including reopening of previously denied claims and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has remanded several issues for early private treatment records, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's RLE sciatica radiculopathy and left ankle disability have been granted initial evaluations of 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective October 23, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations due to inadequate previous evaluations. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain are now before the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. The Veteran must undergo another VA examination to determine if her current conditions are related to her active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, bilateral pes planus, and low back disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, low back disorder, posttraumatic headaches with dizziness, bilateral hearing loss, and GI disorder.

The Veteran's IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found no evidence of incapacitating episodes or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent and supported by moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting an initial increased rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 10 percent and supported by moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting an initial increased rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.