Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected right ankle disability has been denied. The Board found that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his condition, as there is no ankylosis or other criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each.,The Veteran's left knee strain has also been granted an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right retrocalcaneal bursitis and left retrocalcaneal bursitis with left ankle impingement, left ankle instability, and chondromalacia. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently evaluated at 10 percent and no higher, due to lack of readings meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent and no higher. The claim is remanded as there is no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks.,The Veteran's residuals of right ankle fracture are currently evaluated at 10 percent and no higher, due to the lack of evidence showing very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, effective from the date of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's claims for anxiety and tinnitus are denied as they were not received within one year after separation from service. The Board grants an effective date of September 5, 2013, for these conditions.,Service connection for left hand disability, right hand disability, right leg disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination to address his chronic shin splints and related disabilities of the lower extremities, including ankles, knees, and feet.

The Veteran's bilateral flatfeet with bilateral pes cavus are now rated as a pronounced disability, effective March 22, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles with residuals of avulsion fractures of the ankles, and degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also considered to have had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right ankle osteoarthritis is found to be related to playing soccer in service.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are remanded for a more recent examination of his lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a right ankle disability, attributing these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding that June 18, 2015 was the appropriate date based on receipt of his claims.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right ankle conditions, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed left and right ankle conditions or bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, but the appeal for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's left ankle disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated appropriately based on their current severity.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected conditions, including asthma and depressive disorder. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability. The cases of entitlement to service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of lay statements and service treatment records regarding the Veteran's left ankle disability. The Veteran is presumed to have an in-service injury, but a new opinion is needed to determine if this condition is related to his active duty.

The claims to reopen service connection for various conditions have been granted. The specific disabilities are autoimmune disorder, fibromyalgia, IBS, residuals of cysts removal from the left ankle, numbness and neuropathy in the left thigh, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, pre-cancerous polyps, arthritis, NASH, and a heart condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left plantar fasciitis, and pes planus as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.