Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the issues of increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disability, left ankle degenerative joint disease, and effective date prior to September 23, 2014.,The reduction of benefits for service-connected lumbosacral spondylosis from 40 percent to 10 percent disabling effective April 1, 2015 is found to be improper and void ab initio.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination to address his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to the Veteran's request for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) teleconference hearing. The issues of service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a back disability and whether it is proximately caused by a service-connected left ankle disability. The Veteran's current back disability may be related to his in-service injury, but more evidence is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, right ankle, and lumbar spine disorders. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), a disability manifested by chest tightness, and a disability manifested by a nervous stomach are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee conditions, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shin splints and bilateral foot conditions. The claims for increased ratings of shin splints and DJD of the feet are also granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as the previous examination did not comply with Correia and Sharp requirements.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to February 12, 2015 and increased to 20 percent from May 1, 2015. The lumbosacral strain was initially rated at 20 percent prior to September 20, 2018 and increased to 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right ankle disorder and lumbosacral strain has been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right ankle condition, finding that there is no evidence linking the current disability to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The left ankle disability and chronic kidney disease claim are both being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including his mental health conditions and physical impairments.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by marked limitation of motion, has been granted a 20 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for left testicle varicocele and service connection for a left ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's report of an in-service injury was not credible and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and physical impairments, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and back disability, both secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, have been granted.,However, the Veteran's claim for leg length discrepancy remains pending as it has not been adequately addressed by VA.

The Veteran's appeals of the ratings assigned for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to their withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for right testicular, cervical spine, right ankle, and right leg muscle atrophy disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current left and right hindfoot valgus is related to his service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for these conditions is granted.