Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, but the other issues related to right knee, left wrist, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to outstanding STRs.

The Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a rating of 20 percent from October 21, 2010 forward. The claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities are remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for his chronic right ankle sprain with degenerative changes are remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left foot conditions, other than calluses, as well as right and left ankle conditions due to inadequate opinions in the March 2018 VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The claims are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of notification for a VA examination and submission of new evidence. The Veteran's left ankle condition is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's chronic headaches began in service and continue to this day.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since February 10, 2015. The rating reflects moderate limitation of range of motion and painful motion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed. The appeals for the remaining conditions were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 16, 2011, and increased ratings have been withdrawn by the Veteran through his representative.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle sprain, right ankle disability, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service disease/injury related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back condition, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the adequacy of previous VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities are rated based on their specific impairments, with the right ankle receiving a 20% rating for osteochondral defect and the right knee receiving separate ratings for limitation of extension (10%), instability (10%), and flexion (10%). The appeals for higher ratings were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further evidentiary development due to new evidence submitted since the June 2012 rating decision. The right ankle disability is being remanded for VA examinations, and the acquired psychiatric disabilities are being remanded for verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's back and shoulder conditions have changed, necessitating new VA examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent from January 4, 2018. Separate disability evaluations are granted for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disorder. Service connection for secondary shoulder, knee, and ankle disorders remains remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for back condition, diabetes mellitus, left and right ankle disorders (claimed as bilateral ankle), left and right knee disorders (claimed as bilateral knee), left shoulder condition (claimed as bilateral shoulder), right shoulder condition (claimed as bilateral shoulder), and stomach cancer. The evidence includes recent VA treatment records and a new VA examination opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and provide nexus opinions. The Veteran's service records do not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for most conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete opinions regarding secondary service connection and direct service connection for various disabilities.