Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left ankle disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent effective December 18, 2014 (exclusive of the period for which a temporary total rating was assigned).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right ankle disability is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA medical records since the last SSOC.

The Veteran's service-connected low back and right ankle disabilities, in combination, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU rating effective from August 3, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right ankle sprain, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and review of certain records.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee disability remains at 10 percent.,The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), disability manifested by impaired balance, fatigue, memory loss, bilateral hand disability (claimed as hand tremors), speech disability, and bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder disability, neck disability, and right ankle disability are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.,Service connection was denied for the right hip, leg, and groin disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a left ankle disability and service connection for right knee and low back disabilities due to incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, low back condition, right ankle condition, and right hip condition as secondary to his service-connected right medial meniscus tear due to insufficient opinions regarding aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for right ankle strain, finding that the appellant's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.,The Board also denied an increased rating for dyshidrotic eczema of the right foot with recurrent ulcerations, as the evidence did not show more than moderate disability.

The Veteran's tension headaches are not rated higher than the current 50 percent since October 25, 2017.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent effective October 25, 2017.

The Veteran's hypogeusia (loss of sense of taste) is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and joint pain in the shoulders, wrists, ankles, and elbows are denied as not being related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports regarding functional loss caused by repetitive use over time and flare-ups for both right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left ankle synovitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including providing VCAA notice and considering the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right ankle fusion and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists. The Veteran is seeking initial compensable ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left and right ankle tendinosis was denied. Separate 10 percent ratings were granted for left and right ankle instability.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, Parkinson's disease, fungus condition, and arthritis. The VA examiner provided opinions not supported by the record and which lacked adequate supporting rationale.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his prostate cancer and other conditions. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including prostate cancer, hypertrophy of the breast, high blood pressure, residuals from paralysis of the fourth cranial nerve, HIV, heart disability, sleep disorder, arthritis, and bone and cartilage disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for her right foot disability and service connection for her left ankle disability due to insufficient evidence. She needs additional medical opinions regarding the severity of her right foot disability and whether her current left ankle disability is related to her service.