Ankle Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for aggravation of sleep apnea due to his service-connected right leg scar and left ankle disability. The decision is based on a private opinion that found the use of opiate pain medication for these conditions aggravated the Veteran's sleep apnea.

Service connection is denied for sleep apnea, stomach disability, hypertension, left hand disability, low back injury, left leg lumbar radiculopathy, right ankle injury residuals, left wrist degenerative arthritis, and left eye injury residuals.,A compensable rating is granted for scar, status post left wrist fusion.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right lower extremity disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's ankle disabilities are rated at 20 percent since February 17, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues for further examination and rating consideration.

The Board has dismissed the issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for right ankle, right foot disabilities, a loss of vision, and a deviated septum. The claims for service connection for low back disability, IBS, and bilateral arm disability are reopened. The Veteran's rating claims for right shoulder, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee disability was denied. The Veteran also had a TDIU granted.,For the period prior to September 5, 2017, the Veteran’s intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis did not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

This decision grants a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability prior to April 12, 2016. The appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for chronic diarrhea, increased ratings for right knee disability, sebaceous head cyst removal residuals, and restless leg syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of lumbosacral strain and left ankle nerve entrapment have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including arthritis of the wrists, left knee condition, left hand scars, right ankle condition, vertigo and/or Meniere's disease secondary to hearing loss, migraine headaches secondary to hearing loss, Raynaud's disease of various extremities, anemia, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disability and bilateral pes planus was reopened, and the claims are granted. The left ankle, lumbar spine, and wrist disabilities as well as OSA remain denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, right shoulder disability, lower back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, left ankle disability, and bilateral knee disabilities. The effective date of these grants is July 18, 2018. However, the TDIU claim remains pending as it was not formally filed in conjunction with other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for her left knee and left ankle conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, low back disability, bilateral ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability. The AOJ will obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the severity and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hysterectomy, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to incomplete records. The Veteran's claim for vocational and rehabilitation employment services is also remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective April 30, 2011. The appeal is based on new evidence that was not previously considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his service-connected left hamstring tear. The claims will be remanded to allow for new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeals regarding the service connection for cold injury residuals of bilateral lower extremities, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral heel fracture residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of scheduled VA examinations for his service connection claims and requests rescheduling. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.