Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and eye disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and affording the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle sprain, finding that his current disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for further evaluation of the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left knee, left hip, left foot, and left ankle conditions as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including her right ankle injury, bilateral foot and knee conditions, heart condition, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The decision also notes that additional evidence is needed for these cases.

The Veteran's initial increased evaluation for right ankle condition prior to December 9, 2015 was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For the period from December 9, 2015 onwards, the Veteran's right ankle condition continued to be rated at 20 percent due to lack of ankylosis or other specific findings warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is characterized by pain, stiffness and swelling with normal range of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not show marked limited motion in her right ankle, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining military personnel records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lower back disorder due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed elbow, shoulder, ankle, and knee disabilities. The Board will not make a decision on these issues until further evidence has been obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, left ankle sprain condition and secondary arthritis, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's effective date for the 70% rating for major depressive disorder and the 40% rating for gout of bilateral knees, ankles, feet/toes is set to December 27, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left and right ankle disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding his current bilateral hearing loss and a lack of examination for his lumbar spine disability, as well as ongoing issues with increased ratings for his ankles, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability (claimed as residual of spider bite) due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence of chronic disability following service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was previously rated at 10% prior to June 12, 2019. As of June 12, 2019, the disability is rated at 20%. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine condition was reopened and denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,A rating above 10 percent is granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) since October 24, 2016. The right ankle scar remains at 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating from October 24, 2015 to October 23, 2016 and above 10 percent since that date is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle avulsion fracture (left ankle disorder) and right knee disorder. The claim of service connection for the right knee disorder is being remanded.,Service connection was not granted for either condition due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The decision also denied a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder since December 28, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and examining his claimed PTSD.