Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current right ankle disability is not related to active service, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum to the VA examination report.

A rating higher than 60 percent for gout of the bilateral great toes prior to September 19, 2016 is denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the bilateral great toes is granted.,A 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis and residuals of a fracture of the lateral malleolus of the right ankle (right ankle arthritis) as of July 14, 2017, but no earlier, is granted.,A separate 20 percent rating for gout of the right ankle is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right ankle arthritis and hernia disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle conditions due to incomplete development of records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability, service connection for a right ankle condition and diabetes mellitus, type II, and service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board denied service connection for right-ankle disorder and increased disability evaluations for thoracolumbar strain disorder.,Right-ankle disorder was not incurred during active service, and arthritis of the right ankle did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran served multiple parachute jumps during his military service, which he attributes to his current knee and ankle conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his right and left knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected hallux valgus. The claims for these conditions are being remanded due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error in the prior decision, which did not obtain all relevant private treatment records and scanned medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various foot, shoulder, hip, ankle, fatigue, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and psychiatric conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There was no medical nexus provided to link any of the Veteran's current diagnoses to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and plantar fasciitis are rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating due to the severity of his symptoms. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the degree of limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The issues include bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, and right leg sciatica.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and further review is needed.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture and foot deformity are being remanded for further review due to the need for additional medical records and an independent examiner's opinion.