Ankle decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left ankle osteochondritis dessicans is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA medical records and provide a new examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's stated vocational goal of concrete sales was not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities, including a severe brain injury from a motor vehicle accident. The VRC concluded that achieving this goal would be unreasonable given his current medical condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity as to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that arthritis of multiple joints and a lumbar spine disability were not incurred in service, presumed to be related to service, or proximately due to or the result of any service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic bilateral ankle disability and granted service connection based on direct evidence showing that his current condition is related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is less likely as not due to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left ankle sprain injury and residuals of right ankle sprain injury were increased to 20 percent each, effective January 10, 2004.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be due to an undiagnosed illness during his service in the Gulf War. His bilateral hip, right ankle, left ankle, wrist, and elbow disabilities are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right ankle arthritis was denied, and the request for an earlier effective date for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle or foot disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis, including residuals of stress fractures of the ankles due to incomplete documentation in the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of marked limitation of motion in the ankles, or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a TDIU were denied. The RO assigned separate 20 percent ratings for right ankle inversion injury with history of fracture and ligament repair, and a separate 10 percent rating for right heel scar with paresthesia effective December 11, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle myofascial syndrome and bilateral elbow myofascial syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's claimed low back disorder, left knee injury (torn meniscus), obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, left ankle/tendon disorder, and right ankle/tendon disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury to the right lower leg, with degenerative joint disease of the right ankle.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.