Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hallux limitus is related to his service-connected pes planus. The Board finds that the VA Chief of Podiatry Section's opinion, which relates the Veteran's currently diagnosed hallux limitus to his service-connected pes planus, is the most probative evidence as to the etiology of the disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophogeal reflux disease and left shoulder disorder, as well as his requests for increased ratings for right shoulder strain and left ankle injury, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for reopening a right ankle disorder claim and service connection for a bilateral leg disorder have not progressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include schizophrenia has been reopened. However, the evidence does not support service connection for this condition.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor event.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after his military service and there was no evidence of aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, finding that none were incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot and ankle disorders, and shoulder, back, and leg disorders. The most probative evidence did not indicate a relationship between these conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating as of May 14, 2009, based on moderate impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine if an allergy exists to hearing aids, and to evaluate the Veteran's current disabilities. The claims for service connection and extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is currently pending.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of head injury, visual impairment, low back disability, chronic shoulder disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's sister provided a statement in June 2011, but it is considered redundant or cumulative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support the claims.

The Veteran's current bilateral wrist condition is service-connected, and the Board grants his appeal for this issue. The remaining issues are referred to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical, thoracic, left arm, and left ankle disorders. The Board found that there was not sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for residuals of a right foot stress fracture, residuals of a right ankle stress fracture, residuals of a right knee stress fracture, and residuals of a left femur stress fracture are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability and determine if he is unemployable due to this condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including pain and limitation of motion. The Board finds that a new examination is needed to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of these conditions, as well as whether they are related to service or other factors.