Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of his left foot plantar fasciitis and left wrist De Quervain' tenosynovitis were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The case will be reviewed again to determine if a compensable evaluation should be granted for his right ankle disability and whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder, low back disorder, and sciatica are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches, left knee injury, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle disability, left elbow disability, and right elbow disability were denied. The RO increased the rating for migraine headaches to 30 percent in September 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) on his PTSD claim and temporary total rating claims.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle and found that the correct facts were before the RO at the time of the July 1957 rating action, which denied service connection. The Veteran's current diagnosis is considered to be related to his in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint pain, finding that his symptoms are due to known diagnoses and not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle nonunion following surgery was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault. The event was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder, and thus the claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder, including residuals of a left Achilles tendon strain, is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board found no evidence of current chronic disabilities for the left knee, right ankle, or left chest injury during service. The Veteran's complaints were resolved and he was provided treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various disabilities, including PTSD, knee conditions, elbow degenerative joint disease, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, wrist condition/carpal tunnel syndrome, and left elbow disability. The decision also grants service connection for a bilateral arm disability (claimed as bilateral shoulder disability).

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and clarifying the Veteran's desire to continue his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no new and material evidence to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issues regarding upper and lower spine disorders and left ankle disorder are remanded.

The Veteran is found to have a factual need for aid and attendance due to his multiple disabilities, which require assistance with daily living activities. As such, he is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran sustained a left ankle fracture in service and now suffers from chronic left ankle pain. The evidence supports his claim, and therefore, service connection for a left ankle disability is granted.