Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,High cholesterol is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes and thus, the claim for this condition is denied.,The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, and heart disability to obtain medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating. The claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent is remanded as the SOC has not yet been issued.,All other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including cervical spine disorder, right and left shoulder impingement syndrome and AC arthritis, right wrist tendinitis, left wrist tendinitis, right hand tendinitis, left hand tendinitis, right ankle tendinitis, and left ankle tendinitis. The issues are currently under further development.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities have been denied as service connection cannot be granted for PTSD due to lack of a valid clinical diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obesity, which is a component in determining whether his service-connected orthopedic and psychiatric disabilities cause or aggravate his obesity.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum allowable under current regulations. The claims for hip issues are granted with initial ratings, but none exceed the minimum compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine, bilateral foot, hearing loss, gastritis, GERD, sleep apnea, headaches, vision impairment, cervicalgia, knee disabilities, hip strains, and ankle strains.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted a 30 percent rating for the period prior to February 14, 2023 and denied any higher ratings. The Veteran also received an increased rating of 30 percent from February 14, 2023 onward.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent from January 24, 2017 to August 3, 2023. Effective August 3, 2023, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome alone.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds the evidence does not establish current hearing loss in either ear that qualifies for purposes of service connection.,The appeals for service connection for right leg and left leg shin splints are remanded as there is no medical evidence or credible lay evidence establishing a current disability during the pendency of the claim period.,The appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right ankle strain status post fracture is remanded due to conflicting information regarding functional loss and ankylosis.,The appeal for service connection for right knee gout is remanded as there are contradictory findings regarding the Veteran's ability to flex his knee during a flare-up.,The appeal for service connection for temporomandibular joint disability is remanded due to incomplete examination report and unclear reasons provided by the examiner.,The appeals for service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding continuity of symptoms or treatment post-service.,The appeals for service connection for right hand and left hand disabilities are remanded due to lack of a VA medical examination addressing these conditions.,The appeal for service connection for left knee disability is remanded as the VA Regional Office has not obtained an appropriate medical examination or opinion regarding this condition.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection has been granted for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and fibromyalgia, both presumed to be related to service exposure in the Gulf War Theater. The back disorder and ankle disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle strain and osteoarthritis prior to July 7, 2015 were rated at 20 percent. From November 1, 2015 to October 12, 2020, the Veteran was granted a separate rating of 10 percent for instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability due to inadequate opinions from a June and December 2023 VA examiner. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an increased rating for tinnitus and an effective date prior to June 10, 2015, for service connection for tinnitus.,The Board found new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his recurrent right ankle sprain with joint mouse was denied as the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of peroneal sensory neuropathy of the right lower extremity is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for peroneal sensory neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of care for his right hand and right ankle injuries.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder have been granted. The heart disability claim is remanded, as are the claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right ankle. The Veteran's gastritis with GERD claim also requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and evaluations due to the Veteran not receiving VA examinations as scheduled. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent from January 22, 2010 through May 4, 2022. The Board denied a higher rating due to the lack of evidence showing ankylosis or other severe impairment.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left ankle DJD have been granted non-initial ratings of 40 percent each, effective from August 26, 2014. Service connection for the right leg disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, increased ratings for left knee and ankle disabilities due to lack of an opinion on whether his right knee disability is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. Additional development including obtaining VA treatment records, private treatment records, and additional examinations are required.