Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and remanded several other issues including increased ratings for his wrist and ankle conditions, as well as a TDIU determination.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left hip disabilities, shin splints, bilateral hearing loss, and TMJ, have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain relevant records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for cervicalgia, bilateral ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar thoracic spine scoliosis is granted. The Board finds that additional clarification is necessary regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's joint hypermobility disorder, to include Ehlers-Danos syndrome.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the calendar year 2017 for a back brace is granted due to wear and tear on his clothes caused by using a back brace.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and foot conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Graves' Disease, Prostate Condition, and arm disabilities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a link between his conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for hand condition and thigh disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. Claims for left ankle disability, low back disability, and left big toe injury are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient range of motion findings in the VA examinations, and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus. The claims for right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, and a left ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability but granted it for a right ankle disability. The decision is mixed, with some issues being granted and others not.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder was not reopened, his increased rating claim for right ankle disability was denied, and he received a TDIU. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ankle and knee conditions, as they are related to fibromyalgia which is secondary to service-connected anxiety disorder. The case requires further development with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including headaches, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability are granted. The initial rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and service connection for a fractured nose were denied. The claim of service connection for a right leg fracture (right lateral collateral ligament sprain) was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s DDD of the lumbar spine warranted a 40 percent rating, but not higher. The ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathy remained at noncompensable levels until May 10, 2017, when they were increased to 20 percent. Service connection was denied for residuals of a fractured nose and service connection for the right leg fracture.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for an extension of a temporary total disability rating and special monthly compensation on account of statutory housebound status, effective from July 31, 2012 until November 31, 2012. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitating convalescence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, as well as issues related to service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's left ankle and left knee disabilities are granted as service connected.,The reduction in rating for the right knee disability from 40% to 30% effective June 1, 2017 was not proper.

The Veteran's seizure disorder, hearing loss, head injury (including TBI), right ankle condition, and left knee condition are all granted service connection. The decision also notes that the Veteran has a history of functional impairment in his right ankle.