Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder and left wrist osteoarthritis status post fracture are not service-connected.,The Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist osteoarthritis status post fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left and right ankle conditions, as well as his right knee condition secondary to a service-connected left knee condition.,The Board found no evidence of any current disability related to the Veteran's active service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain has been reopened, and the Board finds that his lumbar spine internal disc derangement is related to his service-connected conditions. The issues of residuals from stress fractures to bilateral tibia and metatarsals, initial rating for service-connected bilateral feet conditions, ratings in excess of 20 percent for service-connected residuals of stress fracture of the right proximal femur with right hip flexor strain and left proximal femur with left hip flexor strain, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, low back disability, left ankle and knee disabilities, bilateral eye disabilities, hemorrhoids, scar, skin disability, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional development.,VA examinations were cancelled because the Veteran missed them. The Board finds that medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing of his right ankle disorder, as the June 2016 VA examination did not include all required findings.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for clarification of a private medical provider's qualifications and opinions. The Veteran was denied effective dates prior to April 7, 2016, for right knee strain and tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied. A rating higher than 10 percent for right knee strain is denied.

The Board has found that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder condition and bilateral ankle conditions, which are claimed to be related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, a disability manifested by a loss of feeling in the right hand, and a left ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, bilateral ankle, low back, and left elbow disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The appeals are being remanded to obtain additional service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, right leg disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The Veteran maintains entitlement to these conditions but a current diagnosis is needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as a chronic disease under presumptive criteria. The left ankle disability and Mondor's syndrome were denied due to lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology since discharge.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, and the claims for left leg arthritis and right shoulder condition are remanded.

The Veteran's request for a higher disability rating for her right ankle disability is granted, and she is awarded TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Her right knee disability remains remanded.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted service connection. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis and recurrent strain of the left ankle, based on aggravation during service. Service connection is also granted for a hip disorder and low back disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine and disorders of the bilateral feet, knees, hips, shoulders, and ankles are granted. Additionally, his claim for iritis as secondary to service-connected ankylosing spondylitis is also granted.