Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial disability evaluation for left ankle strain is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal. The issue of service connection for headaches, related to Gulf War Illness, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and TDIU have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for PTSD has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The left wrist, left knee, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities have been rated as appropriate under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and TBI residuals was denied. The right ankle injury, right ear hearing loss, and right knee disorder were remanded due to insufficient examination findings.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right knee disorder is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), bulging disc, and chronic lumbar strain, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, are granted. The claim for bilateral foot and inner right ankle ganglion cysts is remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease is rated at the maximum disability rating of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities have been reopened. The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening the claims, but has not yet decided whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot hammertoes and a left foot and/or ankle disorder due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of relevant VA or private treatment records.

The Veteran's shin splints and left ankle strain are remanded for additional development, including new examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, low back, left hip, right knee, right ankle, right foot, and right hand conditions, as well as his erectile dysfunction (orchiodynia), head injury, headaches, anxiety, and depression. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The appeal as to the claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right ankle disorders and knee disorders, is remanded due to insufficient evidence supporting the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, left hip disability, right ankle disability, low back disability, neck disability and migraine headaches. The Board found that the evidence supports these claims as they are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and remanded other issues due to lack of VA examination records.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle pain, IBS, and left knee arthritis. The Veteran's CAD was granted a 10 percent rating but the claim is still pending as it remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported ankle, knee, and groin injuries. The Veteran will need further VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder, lumbar and thoracic spine, left ankle, OSA, and hypertension conditions were denied as service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was remanded for TBI, GERD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been granted increased ratings. The lower back disability remains unresolved, with the need for a new VA examination to determine its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, right knee, and right ankle disorders. The VA examiner was directed to consider the Veteran's lay statements about in-service injuries and symptoms.