Ankle decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle and elbow disorders, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his in-service combat experiences. The hip and shoulder issues remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left knee or left ankle disability that is related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection in these areas. The psychiatric claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition within one year post-service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, as evidenced by his continued education and part-time work.

The Board denied the claims of entitlement to service connection for varicose veins of the ankles, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a right hip disability, right knee arthritis, right ankle disability, and a disability manifested by right thigh and foot numbness, were not incurred or aggravated in active service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the Los Angeles VARO. The Veteran's appeal will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Board found that the grants of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis involving the hands, wrists, and elbows, and limitation of motion of the right ankle associated with rheumatoid arthritis were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. As a result, the severance of these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an issue with the scheduling of his video-conference hearing. The Board will schedule him for a new hearing at his most recent address.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right index finger disorder, left ankle disorder, headache disorder (migraines), and back disorder are denied. Service connection for hemorrhoids is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left ankle disorders are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right elbow disorder were also addressed but are pending on remand.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is also being returned to the RO with updated treatment records and readjudicated.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right ankle and low back disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle posterior tibialis tendinopathy and assigned a noncompensable evaluation (10%) effective September 20, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperthyroidism has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for hypothyroidism, residuals of thyroid removal, and calcium/bone loss resulting in left ankle/leg condition are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, but denied secondary service connection due to aggravation by his right ankle disability.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, address secondary service connection claims for orthopedic disabilities, and provide a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and outstanding VA treatment records. The appellant's claim for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle disabilities is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for Achilles tendinitis of the right ankle. The claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending as there is no corroborating evidence provided by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.