Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right ankle disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are not established as prior to July 13, 2017.

The Board has decided that the service connection for a right ankle condition needs to be remanded due to pending MRI results.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not sustain a left ankle injury or disease in service, nor does he have any current diagnosis of a left ankle disorder. Therefore, his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is denied.,Service treatment records are negative for any complaints, diagnoses, or treatment related to varicose veins. The Board has determined that the Veteran's varicose veins are not related to service and therefore his claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity varicose veins is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to become obese, which in turn may have contributed to his sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, as well as for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right foot, ankle, and ankle scars due to unresolved issues in his case.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent, a compensable rating for his left leg scar is needed, and the VA will conduct new examinations to determine the etiology of any hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, back disabilities, knee disabilities, and cephalgia.

The Board has denied service connection for a left ankle disability and a sexually transmitted infection, as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, metatarsalgia, bilateral posterior tibial tendonitis, and residuals of cold weather injuries in the bilateral lower extremities (chilblains) are all granted.,However, the Veteran's fracture of the 4th proximal phalanx of the left foot is denied.

Service connection for a left ankle disability, asthma, chronic cervical strain (thoracic spine), and tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any current disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his in-service complaints or exposure.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature of his disability and its relationship to service. The left ankle disability remains under review due to a lack of recent VA examination. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of these other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, hip, and ankle disabilities were previously denied in an August 1995 rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and requests for further efforts to obtain them. The Veteran's right ankle disability is likely not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability did not begin during active service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability status post distal fibula and malleolus fracture has been granted a 20 percent rating effective April 1, 2017. The reduction from 40 to 10 percent was upheld as the evidence demonstrated improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a left ankle disability, were denied. The current 10% ratings are appropriate given the limited functional loss in motion.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to obtain missing service treatment records and for an orthopedist to provide opinions regarding the Veteran's foot and ankle conditions. The case is being remanded due to incomplete documentation and improper medical opinion.