Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including a low back disability and bilateral pes planus. The Board has ordered remand for additional development of the claims, particularly regarding the low back disability and effective dates.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was not shown to have been manifested by symptoms productive of impairment greater than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, resulting in a denial of increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right lower leg/ankle condition claimed as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right great toe injury. The case is being remanded for further development, including an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's left leg/ankle/foot disorder is determined to be due to gout and not related to service or a service-connected low back disability. Service connection for GERD was granted effective April 5, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left wrist, right ankle, or sciatica due to service. The evidence does not support a finding of a qualifying chronic disability for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for further medical examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical records related to the Veteran's hearing loss. The claims for service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2006 VA examination. The examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their findings and the case needs further clarification.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right ankle sprain are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot injury and left ankle disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions, and thus cannot be established.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 40 percent for the period from November 1, 2009 to present.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it manifested within a year of her separation from active duty. The Board found that asthma, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral ankle arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome are secondary to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with the exception of those involving AWOL offenses. The conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is directly related to service, and his left knee and right knee disabilities are secondary to his left ankle disability. The appeal for a right ankle disability was withdrawn prior to decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's right great toe, right ankle, or neurological disorder of the right lower extremity. The disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle and hammertoe disorders are not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to gather additional medical evidence and provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is related to service, but the evidence is insufficient to determine whether it resulted from a specific injury or condition during his military service. The case is REMANDED for further development and an opinion on the etiology of the current left ankle disability.