Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted with a 20% rating from March 28, 2002, to October 14, 2014. A higher rating for the right ankle disability is denied after October 15, 2014. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and right shoulder arthritis are granted. The issue of service connection for a low back disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his left and right ankle disabilities. The rating of 10 percent for each foot hammertoe is maintained.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a head injury, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability and did not grant an increased rating for the right ankle disability. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (not granting service connection) while others were not granted (denying an increase in rating).

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The left ankle disability claim was denied previously, but the Veteran wishes to reopen this claim; it is also being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee conditions, as secondary to service-connected arthrosis of bilateral feet with plantar fasciitis. Additional development is needed due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective November 10, 2011. A 10 percent rating for status-post laceration of the right long and ring fingers with residual painful scar is also granted effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Service connection is established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder and PTSD), a right ankle disability, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's right ankle condition, with secondary degenerative joint disease of the tibial talar joint, is currently rated at 20% and 30%, respectively. The Board finds that higher staged ratings are not warranted.,For the remaining claims (service connection for blood abnormalities and left leg disability), further development is required as VA examinations have been requested but not yet completed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of right ankle degenerative joint disease, left ankle strain, and lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease due to withdrawal by the appellant. The appeal regarding service connection for the cause of death is remanded.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The claims for bilateral ankle disability and bilateral knee disability are denied, but the low back disability with right side radiculopathy remains under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain due to lack of adequate medical evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and whether his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her right ankle disability is granted as of June 22, 2015. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to that date remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, back, shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or etiology.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including removal of tonsils, cholesterol condition, catherization of male organ, decreased vision in both eyes, right-elbow torn ligament status post-surgery, right-elbow scar with keloid, dental condition, left-ear drum disorder, perforation of the tympanic membrane, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, stomach condition with acid reflux (claimed as due to Gulf War), left ankle and right ankle degenerative arthritis, a disorder manifested by feeling tired with a lack of energy, vertigo, bilateral feet condition, right-heel bone spur, neck condition with limited mobility, sinus surgery with turbinate surgery, allergies, and breathing condition (claimed as due to smoke and fumes).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for various conditions, including dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, bilateral ankle disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, restless legs syndrome, HPV, infertility, gallbladder surgery, tremors and spasms to face and hands, itching, pain, and scars, and VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's left ankle disability, including any other disabilities that may be intertwined with it. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee, midfoot and tibiotalar joint degenerative changes with anterior osteophyte of the distal tibia and calcaneal spurring of the left ankle, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, most prominent at L4-L5, have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right-hand disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and right arm disability. The case is being returned to the Board for additional development.