Ankle decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional attempts should be made to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records, as they are crucial for determining his eligibility for service connection. The appeal is remanded in order to address these missing records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sleep disorder is dismissed as the claim has been resolved by the grant of service connection in a prior rating decision. The left ankle strain and right Achilles tendonitis cases are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at a 40 percent effective September 4, 2019. He also received separate ratings for mild right sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies from September 14, 2013 to February 10, 2019, and a 20 percent rating for his right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and ankle disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 15, 2017. The issues are being remanded for further development and an adequate medical examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle injury, headaches, and a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea).,The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, eczema of the hands, and dizziness are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for left ankle condition is granted. Service connection for residuals of left ankle sprain, including arthritis, is denied. The Veteran's hypertension is also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability and has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left knee scars, patellar dislocation, Achilles tendon repair, and surgical scar on the left knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient consideration of all medical and lay evidence, including the Veteran's assertions of in-service symptoms. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left ankle injury and status post right ankle fracture.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The right ankle condition claim is reopened, but further examination is needed to determine its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, ovarian cysts, and lupus due to lack of adequate medical evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, low back, and left knee disorders secondary to a right ankle sprain due to potential causation or aggravation by altered biomechanics. The Veteran's current diagnoses include osteophytic spurring of the left ankle, lumbar degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease, and chondromalacia patella syndrome with degenerative joint disease and left knee sprain.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts was denied in May 2014. The Board has now remanded the cases for further examination and rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ankle disability, chest pains, and vertigo due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and needs further examination.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for the Veteran's ankle strains and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to the death of the appellant.