Ankle decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, left shoulder disability, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable disability rating for laceration of the right hand, and for whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for left ankle disability and low back disability are dismissed. The claim for service connection for neck disability is denied as no new and material evidence was submitted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disorder, and related service connection issues due to inadequate notification of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a back disorder, as these conditions are alleged to be secondary to his service-connected left knee and/or left ankle disabilities.,Further examination is needed to determine if there is any link between the Veteran's current right knee and back disorders and his service-connected left knee and/or left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 4, 2016, for the grant of service connection for left ankle traumatic arthritis status post open reduction with internal fixation has been denied. The Board also remanded the issues regarding rating in excess of 20 percent for traumatic arthritis and rating in excess of 10 percent for plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that these conditions are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected shoulder and knee disabilities as well as his tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left ear infection, and a right ankle disability due to lack of diagnosis during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but denied service connection for bilateral knee conditions and left ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development and need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle joint derangement/instability, bilateral hallux valgus (left and right feet), left foot gout, and right foot gout. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's back disorder, right hip disabilities, and left hip disabilities are all remanded for further development.

The petition to reopen the claims for left ankle disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted. The appeal is allowed to that extent only.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability, as well as its relationship to service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board's decision is revised to deny the claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, effective July 12, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted. The Board also remanded the cases of hypertension, sleep apnea, and right ankle condition due to need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee. Service connection is denied for bilateral pes planus, low back disorder, residuals of a left leg fracture, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, right hallux valgus (bunions), and left hallux valgus (bunions). The cases are remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right ankle, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disability to his active duty service.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined and have their medical records reviewed in order to determine if they are entitled to higher disability ratings for their right ankle fracture and lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right side flat foot and bilateral ankle disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as further development based on those records.