Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for tuberculosis, left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, and chronic cysts (including tinea versicolor) due to new evidence received after the November 2017 SOC.

The Veteran's request for restoration of a reduced rating for his left ankle arthritis disability is granted, and he is entitled to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his compartment syndrome of the lower left leg. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle status-post avulsion fracture and immobilization is rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including mental health conditions, GERD, hearing loss, ankle and spine disabilities, as well as a heart disability. The RO has not yet addressed the earlier effective dates for these conditions and is remanded to do so.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disability, bilateral hearing loss, arthritis due to trauma with joint pain, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are all granted. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral ankle disability and left foot disability (other than pes planus) due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service. Service connection was remanded for sinusitis.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his prostate cancer is granted with a 60% initial rating. The right ankle disability claim is reopened based on new evidence. The coronary heart disease claim is remanded for further examination. Tinnitus and the right ankle disability claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cardiac arrhythmia was reopened, but claims for other conditions were denied. Service connection for right elbow disorder, left ankle disorder, and insomnia were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle sprain and left foot fracture as secondary to his service-connected right knee strain due to insufficient rationale in previous VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions. The issues include heart conditions, foot conditions, and a respiratory condition.

The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder, arthritis of the back, headaches, cephalgia, arthritis of the knees, ankles, foot pain, leg pain, stomach condition, and residuals of stroke are not service-connected.,The Veteran's macular drusen, dry eye syndrome, and cataracts may be secondary to his headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right ankle sprain is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of his cervical strain condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress secondary to a service-connected tear of the rectus femoris muscle with healed scarring, low back disorder, right knee and hamstring disorder, right hip disorder, and left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for gastritis, left ankle sprain prior to June 18, 2018 and from June 18, 2018 onwards, or scar, status-post operative left inguinal hernia.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle disability and foot disability including bilateral pes planus, finding that the current disabilities were not manifest in service or within one year of separation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to the Veteran's service aboard USS Forrestal on July 29, 1967. The VA will obtain medical records and conduct examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination of the left ankle and consideration of the TDIU claim in light of the increased rating issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include low back, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disability.