Ankle decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is attributable to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for left ankle disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the ankles and knees.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, right ankle disability, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's current symptoms of flat feet were not shown to be related to his active duty service, while the right ankle disability was resolved without residual issues. Service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or higher ratings for most conditions, with some exceptions.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions and denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left ankle osteochondritis as of September 11, 2007. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial grant of service connection for arthritis of the right ankle was upheld, and a rating in excess of 10 percent is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran wishes to pursue his left ankle disability claim. The AMC will schedule an examination of the left ankle and re-adjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle arthritis is service-connected, as there is a continuity of symptoms since his last period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, wrist, and elbow disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities as well as bilateral tinnitus and degenerative disc disease of the spine. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the accrued benefits claims for papillary squamous cell carcinoma, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, right ankle disability, thyroid disability, PTSD, and depression to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for IBS with GERD, effective from the date of the decision. The claim to reopen service connection for low back disability is granted and the Veteran's IBS with GERD is rated under Diagnostic Code 7319.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture, left leg fracture, and right leg fracture were denied as there is no credible evidence of such injuries during his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the ankles was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of the feet claimed as due to cold exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent disabling due to moderate limitation of motion, and no higher rating is warranted under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's left foot disability is related to his service-connected right ankle disability and addressing the use of adaptive equipment. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.