Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the appellant's left ankle disability, characterized as marked ankle disability associated with prior fracture, due to persistent pain, limitation of motion, and tenderness in the ankle, warrants a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral foot disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders, did not begin during or were otherwise caused by her active service. As such, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a left ankle injury, to include arthritis of the left ankle, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury and arthritis may not be presumed.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which satisfies the criteria for a higher rating. The claim has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the right hip disability as secondary to the left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and back disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disability related to service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, left ankle disability, and hemorrhoids were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has decided the case must be remanded again to obtain an adequate examination that complies with the directives of the February 2014 remand. The Veteran's right ankle condition is being reviewed for service connection, and secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and clarification of the Veteran's wishes regarding his appeal for service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have developed in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including cervical spine disability, right elbow and arm disability, left arm and shoulder disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and headaches, were not incurred or aggravated by service. Service connection was denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disorder did not result from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service, as his pre-existing condition was clearly and unmistakably present prior to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle/foot disability, manifested by pain and a calcaneal spur, is likely due to injuries sustained during his period of active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and reopening service connection for low back disability are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left ankle fracture residuals and right knee tendonitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, including residuals of an ankle sprain, is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal and accept the 20 percent rating for his right ankle injury.