Ankle decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his left hip, left ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for hypertension cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for a skin disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and coronary artery disease have all been denied as there is no competent or credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran not filing a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year of the July 2006 rating decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus and headaches were denied, but her claim for a left ankle disorder was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus did not worsen during service, and there is no current evidence of chronic headaches. However, she has been diagnosed with a left ankle disorder presumed related to active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and no current disabilities are linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's ankle and back disorders, as well as additional records are required. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder and left ankle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, headaches, breathing problems (asthma), bilateral shoulder disabilities, ankle disabilities, and knee disabilities, all of which were claimed as due to Persian Gulf War undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that an updated VA examination and records are needed to fully evaluate the claim.

The Board denied extraschedular ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities, finding that the schedular evaluations adequately considered his symptoms and disability.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain and myositis of the cervical segment of the spine, finding that these conditions are related to the appellant's military service. The disability evaluations will be determined after additional examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle strain was rated at 10 percent from September 2002 to December 2002. The RO reduced the rating to noncompensable effective September 1, 2007. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle osteochondral lesion of the talar dome, right great toe osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left ankle disability that is causally related to service or to service-connected right knee disorder. The VA examiners concluded that any current ankle disabilities are more likely due to aging and occupational duties after service.

The case is being remanded for further action including VA examinations and additional development of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for right Achilles tendon disorder, left foot/ankle disability, and low back disability. The new evidence received since the last denial is not considered material as it does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his right ankle disorder and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and a Social and Industrial Survey to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.