Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension and left ankle injury with bony degree of the medial malleolus are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,VA has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, including lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hand disorders, elbow disorders, knee disorders, and ankle disorders. The claims are being returned to obtain addendum opinions from VA medical professionals.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent ratings for right and left ankle degenerative joint disease, effective February 7, 2012.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorder, pitting edema, chronic fatigue, chronic pain of the entire body, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, TMJ, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons are that the Veteran did not attend necessary VA examinations as required by law.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for right ankle, right foot (pes planus), and left knee conditions. The Veteran's right ankle condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or functional impairment. His right foot condition was not aggravated by service. For his right knee and left knee conditions, additional medical opinions are needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus. The claims are based on direct evidence of a relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, numbness in bilateral lower extremities, and right ankle condition. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

New and relevant evidence has been received for the service connection claims of an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder, a thoracolumbar spine disorder, a left ankle disorder, and anal cancer. These claims are being readjudicated.,Service connection is granted for a chronic thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back conditions as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the issue of secondary aggravation.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking additional medical opinions to address the etiology of various conditions. The claims include service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ankle disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain is granted. The initial rating for his TBI with dizziness and unspecified depressive disorder remains at 40 percent, but the initial rating for headaches is increased to 50 percent. His ratings for bilateral knee ITB syndrome remain denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes a strain and fracture, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an evaluation higher than this due to the lack of functional limitation caused by pain.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the relationship between current diagnoses and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities, as he failed to report to previous examinations. The TDIU claim is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, while claims for bilateral hearing loss, skeletal arthritis, a skin condition, and the thoracolumbar spine condition are denied. The Veteran's left ankle, left knee, and right knee conditions have been rated as requested.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of her service-connected migraines and the nature and etiology of her bilateral ankle strain and feet disorders, including plantar fasciitis and pes planus. The Veteran will also be asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records related to her migraine condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete records, lack of VA examinations, and potential need for SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to respond to these requests.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and instability. The other claims have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.