Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for various disabilities secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.,The Board is also remanding the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension as they are inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.,The Board is remanding the issues of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 0 percent for service-connected bilateral ankles has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has identified additional VA treatment records and VA Disability Questionnaires that were not previously considered. The Veteran was advised to have these reviewed by the AOJ before the Board makes a decision, but did not respond. Therefore, the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including a request for increased ratings and service connection. The Board has determined that these matters require additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's symptoms need further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle disorders, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 12, 2018, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for anxiety disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right wrist condition, left ankle condition, left wrist condition, neck condition, and psychiatric disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left elbow, knee, ankle, carpal tunnel syndromes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD), have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that relates to these conditions.,There are no indications of any service-connected disabilities that may be aggravated by the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for malaria, foot disability, ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, and general arthritis due to outstanding treatment records and additional examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral shin splints and back disorder are granted service connection. The right knee, left knee, right leg/ankle, and left leg/ankle disorders are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, finding no evidence to support a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has determined that more recent VA examinations are needed due to the Veteran's testimony suggesting his disabilities have worsened since the last VA examinations. Additionally, new examination reports which comply with the Court’s rulings in Correia and Sharp must be completed on remand.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder and bilateral ankle disorders, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right proximal fibula fracture and a separate 10 percent rating for his other residuals of the right leg fracture, effective from the entire initial rating period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left ankle injury, finding that the current disability is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for traumatic brain injury. The other claims of service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for a right ankle disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding the examination of the Veteran's knee and ankle disorders. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA examination that complies with the Board’s instruction, including assessing functional ability during flares or repetitive use.

The Veteran's asthma was granted a 10% rating from November 24, 2011 to November 13, 2013 and a 30% rating thereafter. The bilateral ankle sprain disabilities were granted a 20% rating starting March 4, 2014.,The Veteran's asthma required intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy prior to November 13, 2013 but daily use of inhalational bronchodilator therapy and FEV-1/FVC of less than 70% from that date. The bilateral ankle sprain disabilities were manifested by moderate limitation of motion.