Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's current diagnoses of right ankle, knee, hip, back, skeletal arthritis, bilateral eye condition, vertigo, headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection is denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle tendonitis, chronic sinusitis, cephalgia, linear right brow scar, and right shoulder strain are all found to be service-connected.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's left ankle tendonitis, chronic sinusitis, cephalgia, linear right brow scar, and right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, left ankle disorder, and low back disorder is remanded as the evidence does not establish a direct or secondary relationship with service.

The Veteran's initial claim for tension headaches was denied, and the AOJ assigned a non-compensable rating. The Board is remanding this issue.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was initially rated at 10%, but evidence suggests it may be more severe. The AOJ should schedule an updated examination to assess severity before assigning any new rating.,The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain was initially rated at 10%. The AOJ should schedule another examination to correct the pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding functional loss and pain assessment.,The Veteran's supraventricular arrhythmia (sinus bradycardia) was initially rated as asymptomatic. The AOJ should schedule a heart examination to clarify whether exercise-based METs testing is medically contraindicated or available for accurate assessment of the disability.,The Veteran's pectus excavatum, status post chest wall reconstruction, was initially assigned a non-compensable rating due to its asymptomatic nature and pre-service percentage being zero. The AOJ should schedule another examination to correct any duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's attempt to appeal the August 2016 decision denying a clothing allowance for the year 2016 based on the use of an ankle brace was dismissed because it was not timely filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding sleep apnea, anxiety condition, ringing in ears, and right ankle condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability does not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as he does not have anatomical loss of use of his feet.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left ankle tendonitis, as well as service connection for a left hip joint condition, were denied.,There is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to her claimed hip, shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities. She reported symptoms after service but no medical evaluations were provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right ankle conditions, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any in-service injury or disease and the claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities, should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. Specifically, efforts are needed to obtain records from SSA and the private physician who treated the Veteran's injuries.

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.,The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for VA purposes.,Service connection for hepatitis is denied due to lack of evidence showing a currently disabling condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee pain, as well as lower thoracic pain.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle condition is remanded due to missed scheduled VA examinations and lack of proper notice. The Board will reschedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right ankle condition before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety before the Board could make a decision, thus the appeal is dismissed.