Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left foot disability was granted, and he is now receiving the maximum schedular rating available. The Board also granted his claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities and anxiety disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Board is remanding the claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical records and personnel/administrative records from Fort Ord Medical Clinic, as well as a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, as well as his claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees is related to active military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The evidence does not support a finding of a current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disability, but the claim will be granted as there is no clear and unmistakable error in denying it.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and remanded the issue of service connection for a left ankle disorder to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and needs further examination of the Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities. The appeal is pending until further notice.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSDI records and VA vocational rehabilitation file. The Veteran is to be scheduled for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed broken ankle, shrapnel wounds of the back, or traumatic brain injury. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have an acute injury or chronic symptoms of a left ankle disability during service and does not currently have a diagnosed disability of the left ankle.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for chronic sinusitis, talonavicular degenerative joint disease of the right foot/ankle, talonavicular degenerative joint disease of the left foot, and total abdominal hysterectomy. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a 10 percent rating maintained for her chronic ligament strain of the left ankle and post-operative left knee condition. A separate 10 percent rating was assigned for her left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The TDIU claim may be impacted by decisions on other issues.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of post-operative residuals, left ankle with DJD was denied. The issues of service connection for keratoma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, right ankle condition, and depression were also addressed but the disposition is unknown as it relates to other claims not currently before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, nor are they secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic skin disorder of the feet, left ankle disorder, or throat disorder (including tonsillitis and sore throat) that is related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right fibula with degenerative changes of the ankle have been productive of moderate limitation of motion, pain, weakness, and stiffness. The disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic musculotendon tightness in the low back and right groin, a right ankle disability, a left ankle disability, and hallux limitus of the left foot have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran has not provided evidence that his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if the November 2004 motor vehicle accident was in the line of duty. If determined to be so, the claims will then be adjudicated on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, to include patellofemoral dysfunction, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The bilateral ankle disability and thoracic spine disability are not currently addressed as they were not characterized in the original decision.