Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn. Service connection is granted for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, with the cause being service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right ankle condition, including his in-service injury and post-service symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, left foot, right foot disabilities and hypertension as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle and pes planus disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are alleged to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right eye disability, bilateral foot condition, back disability, right ankle and knee disabilities, bronchitis, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The reasons given were lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability has been reopened, but the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain remains remanded. The Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed right ankle and left shoulder disabilities are also remanded.,VA is required to obtain updated VA treatment records and any private treatment records identified by the Veteran. A VA examination must be scheduled to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle/foot disabilities and her active service.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating under DC 5270.,The Veteran's mental health condition and skin disability are also being remanded as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability.,A new VA examination is needed for all issues.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ankle conditions were denied, but his claims for right and left knee conditions were granted. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle or foot disability. The evidence did not support the appellant's claims that these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis with gout and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and TBI are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's right hip condition and right ankle disability, as there are conflicting opinions regarding their etiology and severity.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 7, 2000 for the grant of TDIU and DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted. The Board found new and material evidence, thus reopening the claim.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus on an aggravation basis is granted as the preexisting condition worsened during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder were all denied as well.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, insomnia, tobacco abuse, and substance abuse have been denied. The Veteran also has had his initial ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, left hip sprain with degenerative arthritis, residuals of left knee injury, status-post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and medial meniscus repair with degenerative arthritis and scars, left knee instability, right knee sprain with degenerative joint disease, and residuals of left thumb injury denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and rating for his ankle, back, hip, and leg/knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to allow for additional examinations by an orthopedic specialist.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the failure to afford him an informal teleconference with a Decision Review Officer (DRO) as requested in his previous requests.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for a right leg disability, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral pes planus have been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are remanded.