Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a compensable rating of 10%. The claims for service connection for headache, low back, chronic left leg, and chronic right leg disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for bilateral dermatitis of lower legs has been withdrawn. The appeals for service connection for bilateral ankle and foot conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, feet calluses, and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for a left ankle disability and hypertension were not established.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted as the evidence showed current symptoms consistent with the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and a left ankle disability. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service, particularly her left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical evidence supporting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection is denied for right and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not appear at his scheduled VA examinations and requests have been made to reschedule them. The case is being remanded for these examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for neck, right ankle, left ankle, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim of skin disability of the hands is also remanded. The loss of sense of smell claim requires further examination.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects moderate limitation of motion. The Board finds no evidence of marked limitation of motion.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran’s DJD of the right knee was characterized by pain and some limitation of motion; however, there is no indication of ankylosis or severe symptoms warranting a higher rating. Since July 26, 2016, the Veteran's right foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis with callus on the great toe have resulted in moderate to severe unilateral symptoms.,Prior to July 31, 2013, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to cervical strain. Since then, his disability has not met the criteria for favorable ankylosis or severe recurrent subluxation/lateral instability warranting a higher rating.,For the period prior to July 26, 2016, the Veteran's major depressive disorder did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. Since then, his condition has resulted in such impairment but not to the extent that it would meet the criteria for greater disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues with scheduled VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a heart disability and left ankle disability. The Veteran's heart disability is linked to PTSD, but the relationship between alcohol use and PTSD is unclear.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disorder, right ankle disorder, and psychiatric condition. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability and granted an initial rating of 10% for the Veteran's left ankle sprain. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for the left ankle sprain, a fractured left metatarsal, TDIU, and stomach/bowel disability are remanded.

Service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, and left ankle has been granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a scar related to right ankle surgery is denied. The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 12, 2013, for a higher rating of 10 percent for his service-connected right ankle shrapnel wound with scar. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran became eligible for an increased rating within one year prior to the receipt of his claim on June 12, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle arthritis and lumbar osteoarthritis, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's left ankle scars are currently rated at 0 percent, while his left ankle arthritis is rated at 20 percent. His lumbar osteoarthritis remains at 40 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examinations, and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right shin splints, and left shin splints disabilities as they are not shown to be related to active military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of low back, left knee, right knee, and kidney disorders due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims for service connection of left heel, right heel, and left ankle disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development and evaluation of her service-connected left knee, left ankle, right knee reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and low back disabilities due to inadequate prior examinations.