Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle sprain and Achilles tendinitis, but the issues of residuals of a right ankle fracture with scarring and arthritis of the right ankle remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, left ankle chronic tendonitis, and a right ankle disability have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis is service-connected, but his left ankle disorder is not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed depression disorder is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence of a current right knee or left knee disorder.

The Veteran's tendon inflammation, right ankle, has not resulted in ankylosis or marked limitation of motion. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied because he is already employed in a suitable position and does not have an employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's current left ankle disability developed due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back disorders, finding that these conditions are secondary to his pre-existing flat feet. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and bilateral pes planus, but denied service connection for low back, neck, and shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's current foot condition is considered to have existed prior to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issues of bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, ovarian cyst, and heart murmur during a hearing before the Board. The remaining issue of service connection for a heart disability (to include pulmonary hypertension and hypertension) is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for left ankle disability and entitlement to TDIU remain pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and residuals of a right ankle sprain. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle degenerative joint disease and right leg varicose veins have been granted, with each receiving a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disability and his service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 2, 2012, for residuals of a right ankle injury, including degenerative joint disease and an effective date earlier than July 26, 2005, for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for residuals of a right ankle injury, including degenerative joint disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ankle disorder and left heel spurs are not related to her service-connected left knee strain with iliotibial band syndrome, and therefore denied both claims.

Prior to October 3, 2013, the Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent.,From October 3, 2013, the Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for a disability claimed as left leg pain. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as incomplete development for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 25, 2014.