Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and Parkinson’s disease.,Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, his right ankle disorder is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee total arthroplasty was dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder, which is now granted.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected right knee total arthroplasty.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left hip is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected right knee total arthroplasty.,Service connection for lower lumbar facet arthritis is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected right knee total arthroplasty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder due to additional development being necessary.,For the right ankle disorder and left ankle disorder, the Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or following service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back injury, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, diabetes, and kidney disease as secondary to a back injury and bilateral ankle condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, left ankle, right ankle, and right heel disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various conditions, including eczema, right hip tendonitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, fracture of the right clavicle, and bilateral pes equinus. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for right ankle Achilles strain and a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from February 15, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all remaining issues have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for lumbosacral strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis with history of left ankle sprain, hemorrhoids, and tinea pedis have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to inadequate previous VA opinion.

The Veteran's right and left ankle degenerative joint diseases are rated at 20 percent each, while his bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent prior to February 13, 2020 and denied thereafter. His left foot hallux valgus is denied, and his right foot hallux valgus is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right knee disabilities have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand and has ordered the RO to obtain outstanding evidence, contact the Veteran for his current address and contact information, and schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities. The claims are being remanded for these actions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, leaving no issues remaining for review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of exposure to herbicides including Agent Orange has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's neurological disability manifested by disequilibrium as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, status post discectomy at L5-S1. The right ankle disability claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted. The reduction of the evaluation of chronic bronchitis from 10 percent to 0 percent effective May 1, 2016 was proper. Other claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for limited motion of the ankle. The combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is 80 percent.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

All previously denied claims for service connection have been dismissed.,A noncompensable rating has been granted for bilateral ankle sprains since June 3, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain and left ankle sprain, finding that these conditions had their onset during the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, back, and ankle disabilities due to new evidence potentially related to service. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records or undergo a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of medical evidence and the need for new examinations. The claims include service connection for bilateral pes planus, post traumatic arthropathy of both ankles, gout, and a back disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ankle calcaneal spur with degenerative arthritis and associated scar require further evaluation due to potential worsening of symptoms since his last VA examination in May 2017. The case is being sent back for a new VA examination.