Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the RO has remanded for further evaluation. His gunshot wound residuals of both ankles are also being evaluated due to recent complaints.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disability, ankle disabilities, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status were granted effective February 18, 2014. The Board denied earlier effective dates as the evidence did not show a claim was filed prior to this date.,The Veteran attempted to file claims in October 2003, 2005, and 2014 but was told by VA employees that her service records could not be located or she would need to seek treatment at a VA medical facility. She provided lay statements supporting these attempts.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed to fully and fairly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain and right foot disability, as well as determine whether he suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also directed to provide any outstanding treatment records pertinent to his claims on appeal.

The Veteran's right total ankle arthroplasty with implant was granted a 40% disability rating from March 1, 2017 through August 29, 2018. The issue of TDIU prior to June 15, 2018 is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The Veteran's current diagnosis is degenerative arthritis, which developed over many years post-service.,Service connection for hypertension and prostate disability are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left ankle sprain and bilateral bone spurs due to insufficient rationale in the previous decisions.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, elbow, and hand disabilities, as well as a lumbar and cervical spine disability. The claim for left knee disorder was reopened due to new evidence, but the other claims were denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for increased ratings and new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide National Guard records and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no effective date or rating adjustments are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a right ankle condition have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s conditions and assessing the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to February 1, 2015, was rated at 10 percent and from February 1, 2015, at 30 percent. The Veteran's lumbar strain was rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with asthma was remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and for TDIU due to his service-connected plantar fasciitis. The decision is remanded because the VA examination did not consider the Veteran’s contention that his ankle pain began in service, and it failed to render an opinion on whether the ankle disability was directly related to service or aggravated by his service-connected foot condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with service connection for Achilles/ankle tendonitis and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as service-connected.,Increased ratings are required for cervical spine DJD, right shoulder arthritis, sarcoidosis, and bilateral pinguecula.,Service connection is denied for fibromyalgia, polyarthritis (claimed as polyarthritis), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, and sleep disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's knee scars, right elbow disability, left great toe disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include gastrointestinal disorder, ankle disabilities, increased ratings for low back, bilateral knee, and right fifth metacarpal disabilities, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several claims related to various disabilities, including chronic pain and fatigue, knee and shoulder injuries, headaches, psychiatric disorders, and TMJ. The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities are currently rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spine, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed ankle disabilities, including calcaneal spurring and lateral collateral ligament sprain.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by painful motion, is granted with a rating of 10 percent since the beginning of the appeal period.