Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, hip, and low back disorders. The Board finds that further development is necessary to determine the nature of these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronicity or aggravation during service, and the preexisting hypertension was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected chip fracture of the right ankle with lateral instability, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ankle disability or bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral knee fractures and residuals of bilateral ankle fractures, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for lumbosacral strain. The Board found that there was no current disability of the knees or ankles, and thus could not grant service connection. The claim for an earlier effective date for lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and left ankle disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may arthritis of either foot be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for disabilities of the knees and right ankle are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating claim for left ankle arthralgia is deferred until all pertinent evidence is assembled.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability and that any pain he experiences is not related to his service-connected right ankle sprain. As such, the claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder secondary to his right ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with left foot fracture and degenerative changes of the feet, right ankle degenerative changes, and left ankle degenerative changes were denied. The maximum schedular disability rating possible was granted for each condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current disabilities of the right knee, right little finger, and/or right ankle. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for appropriate examination(s) and opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disorders, but further development is needed to adjudicate these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and right foot pes planus, finding no current disability or evidence of in-service injury. The claim for hypertension is not claimed. Service connection for cervical spine spondylosis and left foot pes planus are also not claimed.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle arthritis is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right or left ankle disability, or a right knee disability, that is related to his active service. The evidence of record does not support a finding that any current disabilities are etiologically linked to service.

The Board found that the overpayment of $3,510.53 was properly created due to the Veteran's failure to timely report his return to active duty and denied a waiver of recovery.

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative residuals of a left ankle surgery and cervical strain, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in service. The back disability and bilateral foot and right ankle disorders were found to be less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.