Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee and right ankle disabilities and his military service, as well as their relation to a service-connected left ankle disability.

The appeal for service connection of various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral eye disorder, headaches, TMJ, right and left knee and ankle disorders, erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity disorders is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for his right leg disability, bilateral pes planus, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology and severity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left ankle, and right knee disabilities. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to lack of loss of use of limbs, blindness, or inhalation injury.,The Veteran was not found in need of regular aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities as he had dementia which is not service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since February 12, 2010. TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic cough, migraines (headaches), acid reflux, left knee disability, and right ankle disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's TDIU claim was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for TMJ dysfunction, right and left ankle disabilities, and an increased rating for bilateral scapular bursitis due to inadequate evidence. The Veteran's service records show multiple references to TMJ complaints during service, and she testified that her current TMJ problems began in service. For the ankle issues, the VA examination did not provide a clear opinion on whether the disability is related to service. For the increased rating claim, the most recent VA examination was conducted over 7 years ago.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that his causes of death were not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including ankle and foot conditions and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle condition has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his right ankle condition.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and assistance housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, including myofascial pain syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, has been rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or nearly approach criteria for ankylosis or limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle due to inadequate rationale in the previous medical opinions. The Veteran's representative argues that his disabilities are secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations, missing VA treatment records, and new evidence not being considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia, claimed as a sleep disability, was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for further examination.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the right hand, left hand, and ankles have been granted.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ankle disorders and a left foot disorder due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination opinions. New VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.