Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for left ankle sprain, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for left shoulder arthritis, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for right hip disorder, secondary to the service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with thoracic scoliosis and amputation of the left fifth toe, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis, secondary to the service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with thoracic scoliosis and amputation of the left fifth toe, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for left great toe disability, secondary to the service-connected plantar fasciitis, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.,The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for left hip disorder, secondary to the service-connected plantar fasciitis, as new and material evidence was not received to relate a current disability to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for various conditions, including hypertension, nasal disability, chronic epididymitis, psychomotor epilepsy, bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction, deviated nasal septum, bilateral hallux rigidus, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, anxiety disorder NOS, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection have also been granted for right ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, arthritis, left ankle strain, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, osteochondritis dissecans, and arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence of changed conditions, including a total right hip replacement and worsening of the right ankle. The Veteran will need to undergo additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and hearing loss of the right ear were denied. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran's claimed psychiatric symptoms were not found during the VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having a current diagnosis of hearing loss disability. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for left ankle and foot disability, requesting additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ankle disorders, a right shoulder disorder, and a low back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety. The evidence did not show current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity disabilities due to inadequate examination and lack of medical records. The examiner must consider functional impairment caused by pain, even if there is no specific diagnosis.

The Veteran's asthma and chronic migraine headaches have been granted service connection. The right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, lumbar-sacral strain, and right knee patella-femoral syndrome issues are remanded for further examination and rating determinations. The major depressive disorder issue has been fully resolved with a grant of higher ratings.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his left ankle sprain with arthritis was denied, and the increased rating claim for PTSD prior to October 18, 2015, is remanded. The Board found that the current rating of 10% for the left ankle disability is appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or worsened by his service-connected left ankle and foot disabilities.

Service connection granted for left knee condition, tinnitus, and left foot condition (to include plantar fasciitis) due to service-connected conditions.,Remaining issues of service connection for right hip condition and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not considering extraschedular evaluation for the Veteran's left ankle sprain, and additional medical evidence must be obtained.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and renal disease are currently rated, but the appeal is remanded for further development on other issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left foot fracture and ankle limited motion were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms, as he was able to walk with assistance.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 8, 2017 and at 20 percent beginning from that date. The Board denied an increased rating for the right ankle disability before August 8, 2017, but granted a 20 percent rating starting from that date. Service connection for the right knee disorder was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, status post radical retropubic prostatectomy. The claim for service connection of bilateral ankle disability is remanded due to insufficient examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left and right ankle disabilities, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and sinusitis due to new and material evidence. These issues are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as a VA examination opinion was inadequate.