Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 20% and the Board found it does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40%, but the Board noted uncertainty regarding ankylosis of the spine. A new examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of her left ankle fracture, finding that there is no evidence linking her current disability to her active duty service.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for right knee condition is granted. The claims of service connection for cervical, bilateral ankle, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), blurred vision, dizziness, back condition, and bilateral hip conditions are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disability, concluding that the current condition is not related to an in-service injury and did not manifest within a presumptive period.

The Board has remanded three issues: bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and service connection for a right eye disability. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right foot calcaneal spur is rated as moderate, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,Service connection for PTSD was granted on February 5, 2013 with no effective date prior to that decision.,Grants of service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with shin splints were also granted on February 5, 2013 with no effective dates prior to that decision.,The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature of his current condition.,An evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.,Evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with shin splints are also remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, ankle, knee, and back disabilities due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a left knee disability was granted with a 20% rating, but no more. The claim for service connection of her left ankle disorder and temporary total evaluation were both denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, and requests for additional records from SSA and VA.

The Veteran's radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disability, erectile dysfunction, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities are not service-connected as they did not manifest in service or due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease related to the right ankle. The Veteran reported multiple injuries during service, making his current claims less credible.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine, increased rating for Left Ankle Sprains with Post-Operated Lysis with Adhesions and Tendinitis, and increased rating for Left Upper Extremity Disability (Median Nerve Compression).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic left ankle sprain was denied as the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.,For the period prior to May 27, 2016, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic degenerative changes in the first MTP and IP joints of the left foot with great toe limitus was denied as there were no occasional incapacitating exacerbations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip, knee, ankle, lumbar spine, and pelvic injury disabilities due to inconsistencies in evidence regarding whether the Veteran was under the influence of alcohol at the time of a motor vehicle accident. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed as she indicated satisfaction with the decisions made by the RO.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and bilateral foot condition are being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service-connected right ankle sprain. A new VA examination is needed to assess whether it is secondary to his service-connected condition.,The Veteran's back disability and acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded for a comprehensive evaluation, including opinions on the nature of these conditions and their relation to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, alcohol use disorder in remission) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service. A new VA examination is needed to assess whether it is related to personal assault during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence is needed for service connection of bilateral ankle, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.