Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is characterized by moderate instability and has been rated based on this. The case is being referred for consideration of an extraschedular rating due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and degenerative joint disease were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a chip fracture of the right ankle internal malleolus is denied as his disability does not warrant a higher than currently assigned 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the receipt of additional relevant treatment evidence and the need for a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for right ankle and shoulder disabilities. Additional records are needed, including treatment from Homestead Air Force Base hospital and any line of duty investigation.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the issues of service connection for tuberculosis and claims for higher ratings for left ankle and left eye disorders and for acne. The case is dismissed as to these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the conditions listed in his claims, and thus the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities and for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, an increased rating for left ankle disability, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypokalemia has been withdrawn. The claims for bilateral feet, ankle, and right knee disabilities have not met the requirements for service connection as there is no credible evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied on both direct and secondary bases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left ankle disability, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiologies related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for dermatitis is granted as it began during a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and thus meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed ankle disabilities and allergies.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address whether the Veteran's low back and right ankle disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a stress fracture of the right second metatarsal. The claims for service connection will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board is reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of his lumbar spine with left L4 radiculopathy and remanding all other claims to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their merits. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disorder or back disorder that was incurred in service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is characterized by 'severe' residuals, warranting a 30 percent rating. The evidence does not show ankylosis or loss of use of the foot.

The Board found that the Veteran's vision problems, facial scar, and right ankle fracture residuals were not caused by VA medical care. The Board concluded that there was no additional disability or death resulting from VA treatment.