Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ankle arthritis as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran testified about injuries during active duty, and VA treatment records show current symptoms of both conditions. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus has been granted as the preponderance of the evidence supports its in-service onset and continuity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected skin disorder, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability.,Service connection for migraine headaches is also granted as secondary to the now service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left hip, and low back disorders due to incomplete examination reports. The VA is instructed to obtain new VA examinations that address whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his service-connected right ankle fracture and right hip arthropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.,No effective date is assigned as the appeal does not involve an issue of service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his service-connected conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all of the issues from appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for his right ankle tendonitis was dismissed as the claim has been fully granted with a 10 percent rating effective from October 7, 2010.

The Veteran's right ankle condition and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and right wrist disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim to establish service connection for a right ankle disability has been reopened. Service connection for GERD is granted as it is aggravated by medications prescribed for her service-connected disabilities. The issues of increased evaluations for bursitis and left ankle surgery residuals are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding increased ratings and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lateral ankle sprain and has remanded his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was granted. The claims for prostate cancer, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, right eye residuals of pterygium, left eye residuals of pterygium, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and abdominal pain were all remanded.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for arthritis right ankle, status post removal of exostosis can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle arthritis and right hip synovitis, iliotibial band syndrome, chronic bursitis, and symphysis pubis instability. The issues of service connection for the right hip disabilities are resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims related to PTSD, Right Ankle DJD, Right Ankle Laxity, Right Ankle Medial Scar, and Right Ankle Lateral Scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD, service connection for headaches, left knee and right ankle disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD. The AOJ must obtain updated VA treatment records, verify the Veteran's Reserve service, schedule a VA examination for PTSD, and request additional information for the TDIU claim.