Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his left ankle and foot fusion disability.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and secondary service connection for various disabilities, including lower back pain, left ankle, left hip, right hip, and right knee disabilities, are denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions were caused by his service-connected right ankle disability.

This decision grants initial compensable ratings for gout and degenerative arthritis, right ankle prior to April 8, 2016, and from April 8, 2016. It also grants an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for gout and degenerative arthritis, left ankle. The decision denies initial compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis, left shoulder prior to April 8, 2016, and from April 8, 2016, as well as a higher rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative arthritis.,Entitlement to an increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for residual scars, pilonidal cyst excision, low back, coccyx area, right shoulder x4, and bilateral feet is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, as well as headaches of unknown etiology and general weakness. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of his left ankle and right knee disabilities has been dismissed.,An initial rating higher than 10 percent prior to August 9, 2016 for the Veteran’s left ankle disability is denied. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected left ankle and right knee disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 30 percent rating for the entire period on appeal. The RO has remanded cases regarding increased ratings for his left and right knee DJD, as well as traumatic arthritis of both ankles.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for various knee and ankle disabilities, a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus, and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for hypothyroidism. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for surgical scars, right ankle prior to May 8, 2017 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation at any point during the appeal period. For the evaluation in excess of 20 percent as of May 8, 2017, the Veteran's right ankle scars were evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to three or more painful or unstable scars. However, the Board noted that a supplemental statement of the case was not issued and there is no examination indicating the severity of the right ankle scars following surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, traumatic brain injury residuals, left knee, and right knee disabilities are denied. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including broken right fibula, broken right tibia, right-leg disorder, and triple arthrodesis of the right ankle. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, right ankle, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and residuals of testicular cancer. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis or history of these conditions during his appeal period.,Additionally, the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for status post right radical orchiectomy associated with residuals of testicular cancer was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for asbestosis and remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle condition due to lack of evidence establishing current disability.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the neck, low back, and hypertension issues.,The Veteran’s claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and hypertension disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is granted, and the initial rating for his low back disability prior to August 17, 2015 is denied. A 40 percent rating is granted for the low back disability effective from November 16, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but denied secondary service connection claims for bilateral hip disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. The left ear hearing loss rating remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, and back disabilities as the Veteran did not have any of these conditions during his active duty or at any point during the appeal period.,Service connection was granted for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis. The Board found that the current diagnoses were related to service due to a significant progression of the left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, ankle, and left foot disabilities. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, right and left knee chondromalacia, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period from June 2, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for right leg pain, finding that his claimed condition is already considered in his existing service-connected disabilities (right knee, hip, and ankle).

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran for further examination and opinion regarding his right hip, right ankle, and hearing loss disabilities. Specifically, they need to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected right knee disability or if they were caused by noise exposure during service.