Ankle decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle tendonitis is caused by her service-connected left ankle disorder, and thus grants an increased disability evaluation of 20% for postoperative residuals of a left ankle sprain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral ankle disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as well as his left ankle disability. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, rated as 20 percent disabling, is found to not warrant a higher rating prior to January 4, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed left elbow or left ankle disabilities and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), low back disorder, and right foot disorder have all been denied. The denial of the right ankle claim is final as it was not appealed in June 1993. The other claims were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sacroiliac dysfunction with sacral strain, service connection for a respiratory condition as due to undiagnosed illness, service connection for a right knee condition to include surgical scar and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for a disability manifested by sensitive feet, right ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, weight gain, sleep disorder, and psychiatric disorder (change in character) to obtain additional medical opinions.,The Board is also remanding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for a right leg disability and a back disability as secondary to a right leg disability.,The Board is requesting that VA obtain relevant treatment records, including those from February 2011 to June 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran sustained a right ankle injury during her ACDUTRA and is therefore entitled to service connection for right ankle instability. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions based on in-service exposure to noise and physical trauma. The Veteran's current symptoms are consistent with his reported history of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right ankle disability. The claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He will be given another opportunity for such a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back condition, and left ankle disability were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disability related to service or post-service treatment. The Board found the Veteran's contentions regarding continuity of symptomatology since service to be not credible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for his left ankle disorder and initial compensable ratings for his right ankle and right knee disabilities are being remanded. The Board has determined that he is entitled to higher ratings for his right ankle and right knee disabilities, with a 30 percent rating for limitation of extension since April 7, 2008, and a separate 20 percent rating for moderate instability since the same date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to reassess the severity of his service-connected right ankle sprain with midfoot arthrosis.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development of the Veteran's left ankle disability, including an examination and additional medical records. The appeal is currently in remanded status.

The Board has granted service connection for disability manifested by joint pain in the bilateral ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows. The joints with arthralgia (ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows) are considered to have no known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are not causally related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.