Ankle Board decisions

The Board has decided that a more recent VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the left ankle disability, as the Veteran reported worsening symptoms since his last examination in 2010.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present right and/or left knee and ankle disabilities, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection on this basis are being remanded.

The Board denied reopening of claims for left ankle, big toe, and foot peripheral neuropathy disabilities. Service connection was granted for right leg disability (including right ankle) and right leg peripheral neuropathy. An effective date of February 17, 2011, but no earlier, was granted for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with effective dates and further examination is needed for left ankle, PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity and any extraschedular rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's testimony at his July 2018 Travel Board hearing, which could impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to TDIU. The right knee and ankle disabilities will be evaluated again, and any changes in rating will affect the TDIU determination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and foot conditions, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases due to ongoing complaints of wrist, neck, shoulder, ankle, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and epididymo-orchitis disorders. The case requires further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, residuals of a left ankle injury, mesothelioma, heart disability including coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.,Additional issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, arthritis, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and temporary total rating for a period of convalescence have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as his left ankle disorder, were denied. The case was remanded for further development regarding the left ankle disorder and TDIU claim.

The Board denied claims to reopen service connection for right wrist arthritis and degenerative joint disease of the ankles, as well as a claim for left wrist arthritis. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, left ankle and foot, gout, eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and major depressive disorder. The appeals were based on a direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and a rating of 20 percent has been granted for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion on whether his hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis or left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for psoriatic arthritis is also remanded as it requires a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and rib disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s range of motion in his left shoulder did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it was consistent with midway between side and shoulder level. For his right ankle disability, the Board granted a 20 percent rating based on marked limitation in its range of motion. However, for his rib disability, the Veteran's noncompensable evaluation was maintained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee and ankle conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left ankle disability, and left elbow disability have been denied. The claim for residuals of dental trauma is remanded.,Service connection has been granted for genital herpes and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for a left ankle sprain prior to October 21, 2008 and the subsequent increase to 20 percent thereafter is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and left foot or ankle disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.