Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and a right knee disorder. The appellant's claimed left knee disorder is not considered secondary to the right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable evaluation have been denied. The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against his claims for bilateral foot disability, left hand condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle collateral ligament sprain, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, finding that the current diagnoses of degenerative osteoarthritis were not incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain, lumbar strain, cervical strain, right knee patellar bursitis, and left knee patellar bursitis are all rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent. The Veteran’s sinus arrhythmia is not compensable. For the period from June 2, 2012 to February 12, 2020, his PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling; since February 13, 2020, it is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD has been found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the left ankle and a right wrist injury have been denied.,No effective date has been assigned as the issues are not related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining new MRI testing and a VA examination by an orthopedist. The issues of rating reductions and increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his right hip disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for chronic right ankle deltoid ligament sprain have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer and skin disability are rated at 20 percent, while his right ankle, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal is denied for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of cervical spine fracture, right ankle fracture, fractured ribs, and facial fractures, as they were not incurred in line of duty during active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right ankle sprains due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of an adequate VA examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from private physicians and VA. The Veteran's statements regarding an in-service injury are also considered.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, and bilateral foot condition (including bilateral flat feet and bilateral plantar fasciitis).,No rating assigned as this is an appeal decision.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability has caused or aggravated her left ankle strain, bilateral knee PFS, and bilateral hip trochanteric pain syndrome. The Board granted service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues related to TMJ disorder, shoulder disorders, ankle strain, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased rating and TDIU, as well as his eligibility for DEA benefits. The VA will need to obtain any outstanding private treatment records related to the Veteran's right ankle disability and conduct a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left ankle disability, and low back disabilities are all granted. However, the Veteran's secondary service connection claims for knee disabilities remain pending and will be remanded.