Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bladder cancer and right inguinal hernia scar have been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis, left ankle sprain, lung disability (to include tuberculosis), and psoriasis due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if his current bilateral ankle disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extension of temporary total disability rating, increased ratings, and individual unemployability due to service-connected conditions. The appeal was not timely filed.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand and right ankle disabilities were improperly developed as new and material. The cases are now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for left and right knee disabilities is denied, as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. Claims for sleep disturbances, insomnia, depression, and anxiety are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the October 2018 rating decision. The issues of service connection for left foot condition, right foot condition, low back pain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and left ankle are all being remanded as there were duty-to-assist errors prior to the October 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service and the claim for service connection is granted. The evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left ankle reconstruction is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include hypertension, stomach disorder (ulcers, stomach problems, GERD), right knee disability, right ankle disability, right leg disability, right foot disability, back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine), erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding service records that need to be obtained and reviewed. The issues include reopening of previously denied claims for various conditions, as well as determining the current severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to knee braces is granted as the evidence shows that he used these braces in 2017, causing damage to his pants. The Board found sufficient evidence of wear and tear on his clothes.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his left ankle disability is dismissed. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU and temporary total ratings based on convalescence following surgery.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for adenitis systematic viremia with partial removal of small intestines and viral infection due to the appellant's withdrawal. The other issues are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle and hip disabilities, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lower back, right hip, and right ankle conditions due to secondary service connection. The VA examiners did not adequately address whether these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected left hip and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disorders due to secondary service connection. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current left ankle disability severity and to obtain updated VA and private medical records. The Veteran's left ankle condition is currently rated at 20 percent, but he claims it warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot and ankle disabilities, as well as increased ratings for left retrocalcaneal bursitis, plantar fasciitis, and calcaneal spur. The Veteran's right foot disability may be related to her service-connected left foot disability. For the left ankle and foot disabilities, the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ankle disability and hypertension due to missing service treatment records, verification of Reserve duty dates, and need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions related to his TDIU claim. The Board will then reassess the claims.