Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right ankle injury is granted as his current diagnosis and credible history support this finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including acquired psychiatric disorders, thyroidectomy residuals, kidney stones, neck disorder, muscle disorder, digestive disorder, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The claims for allergic rhinitis, tinea pedis, sleep apnea, and a right ankle injury were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for gastrointestinal disorder, lung condition, and right great toe injury were reopened.,Service connection for PTSD and depression (inclusive) was granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional VA examination and review of the claims file, including recent treatment records from April to August 1995.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disability or left ankle disability that is etiologically related to service. The claim for higher evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and granted it. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for GERD, left wrist tendinitis, right wrist tendinitis, spurs and ununited fracture of the left ankle, spurs of the right ankle, or muscle tension headaches as they are not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a left ankle condition or a right knee condition, either on a direct basis or as secondary to his left ankle condition. The evidence is insufficient to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his left ankle arthritis is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right ankle traumatic arthritis and/or his service-connected recurrent lumbosacral strain.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a cold injury to the bilateral feet and ankles during service, and current symptoms are not related to such exposure. The Veteran's condition is considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his right ankle fracture, left knee injury based on instability, and left knee degenerative joint disease were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the ankles or severe instability in the knees that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings or a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot ulcer and granted an initial rating of 10% for residuals of a left ankle fracture, but the Veteran's claim for higher ratings remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are service-connected as they were incurred during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not yet resolved and will be returned to the AOJ after the hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for residuals of left leg surgery performed by VA on April 3, 2008. The Board has determined that additional disability may be present and requires further medical examination to determine if it was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in requesting a compensation examination and because updated treatment records are needed. The Veteran's right foot and/or ankle disability is being evaluated for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle strain was denied by the RO. The case is remanded to consider additional evidence received after the May 2013 SSOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disability, including a left ankle disability leading to a below-the-knee amputation, is not causally or etiologically related to his military service.