Ankle Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as a lumbosacral strain. The claims for right ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection and increased rating claims for various hand, knee, ankle, and tinnitus conditions is being remanded due to procedural issues under the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding his dental disorder, left ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorders, cervical spine disorders, inguinal hernia, cauda equina syndrome, shoulder disorders, radiculopathy, neurogenic bladder, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent effective October 9, 2017. The Board also granted service connection for foot, knee, hip, and low back disabilities as secondary to the right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disorder, IBS, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for cervical radiculitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle and right shoulder condition due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to wear and tear from carrying equipment as an artilleryman during service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PFB have been denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition of a hearing loss disability.,For his right shoulder, knee, ankle, and foot disorders, unspecified circulation disorder, and scalp disorder (previously claimed as alopecia), the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle shrapnel muscle injury and TDIU has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a moderately-severe disability, and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left ankles, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on service-connected lumbar spine disability, are being remanded to allow for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran needs to be provided with VA examinations to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability. Additionally, he should be asked to provide private treatment records from Dr. Crawford/Norton Leatherman.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations, service connection, and effective date determinations due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient nexus opinions and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's ankle and neck conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology, with a focus on whether they are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral chronic elbow strain and lateral collateral ligament sprain of both ankles have been granted service connection.,A separate 10 percent rating for TMJ prior to January 23, 2018 has also been granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the hands, knees, and ankles; a back disorder; bilateral knee disorders; erectile dysfunction; breathing and respiratory issues; and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, hypothyroidism, left knee disability, and left ankle disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for right ankle status post Achilles tendon repair and left ankle sprain, finding that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited motion.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,PTSD, depression, anxiety, angina, and fatigue are all remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, as the current opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the cases of right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right ankle sprain for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability is proximately due to or the result of her service-connected disabilities, specifically her low back and/or right hip disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.