Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability including low back strain and degenerative disc disease, but remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs, service connection for a right knee disability to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs, and service connection for radiculopathy of right lower extremity to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs.

The Veteran's appeal of his right ankle disability rating is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new allegations of worsening symptoms by the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for residuals of right ankle sprain and residuals of left knee injury. The appeal for residuals of low back injury, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evaluation and clarification of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right knee disability. The issues include rating adjustments and a combined schedular rating determination.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but has remanded them for further development and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a dentoalveolar fracture related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.,No effective date is assigned as the evidence does not indicate a worsening in the one year prior to March 16, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee scar, an evaluation of 30 percent for vertigo, and an evaluation of 20 percent for two scars on the left knee and a scar on right ankle are all granted. The remaining issues remain pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, right foot disorder, and bilateral hip disorder due to his service-connected left foot disorder. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has found that further development is required before the Veteran's remaining claims are decided, including determining whether his August 21, 2010 motor vehicle accident occurred during a period of active service and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right leg fracture, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lateral epicondylitis, right elbow have been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for a skin disorder other than service-connected warts of the feet are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including skin disability (claimed as jungle rot), back disability, COPD, left and right ankle disabilities, frostbite disability, heart disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records and provide the Veteran with notice regarding PTSD claims based on personal assault.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability, but granted service connection for low back, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss and thyroid disorder.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's low back disability, with reasonable doubt favoring the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, pes planus of the right foot, and a right foot or ankle disability other than pes planus have been reopened. The Board has granted these claims as new evidence received relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.,Service connection is now granted for pes planus of the right foot.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a personality disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, asthma, hypertension, systemic lupus, migraine headaches, and right ankle disability are all denied.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's chronic headache disorder is granted as service connected due to his service-connected sleep apnea. The right ankle condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to procedural and factual inaccuracies in previous examinations, as well as issues regarding effective dates.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ankle disability, painful joints disability, GERD, brain tumor, and penile disabilities due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a left ankle disability due to inadequate examination and failure to address the Veteran's reported drop foot condition.