Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for posterior tibial tendonitis, right ankle; hemorrhoids; and rhinitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for arthritis of the right thumb was reopened and granted service connection. An initial rating of 20% is assigned for scars of the left ankle, left knee, and right wrist.,Service connection for depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of September 17, 2016.

The Veteran's claims to reopen are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded as it may be related to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded because more recent treatment records are needed, and a new examination is required due to the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's multilevel lumbar disc disease is being remanded for a new examination as it may have worsened since the last evaluation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded because an opinion on whether it is related to service-connected lumbar spine disability is needed.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are also being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded as a new examination is required, including an assessment of whether it is related to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and lower extremity numbness are also being remanded for medical opinions on their relationship to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as more detailed information regarding the impact of his disabilities on his employment is needed.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left wrist CTS have been granted with specific disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and dismissed his appeal for nonservice-connected death pension benefits as the cause of death was already awarded.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal regarding the service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. As a result, the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, but he seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left foot disability, characterized as a left calcaneal plantar spur, was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right foot disability, characterized as a right calcaneal plantar spur, was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability, characterized as a right ankle achilles spur, was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of service connection claims, including those related to left lower extremity neurological conditions, right lower extremity neurological conditions, left knee conditions, right knee conditions, right ankle conditions, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right shin splint, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle tendonitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for arthritis of the left ankle due to new medical evidence. However, the issue is remanded as an addendum opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issues are now moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left shoulder condition, and lumbosacral strain due to a lack of objective evidence during a 12-year period following service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and ankle disabilities are characterized by severe burning pain, but the severity has not been shown to warrant a higher rating. A 20 percent rating is granted for each foot.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and hypertension. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability within one year post-service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral flat foot condition and a right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by his active duty service.,The evidence did not support a finding of aggravation due to lack of complaints or treatment during service.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted service connection as it is related to his service-connected multiple sclerosis.,There is no evidence of a left foot, left ankle, or left knee condition during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis and for a left ankle degenerative joint disease. Service connection was denied for a left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, while his skin condition of the bilateral feet and ankles is denied.