Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's residuals of a left ankle sprain is due to an injury sustained during her period of active service. However, there is no evidence showing a current back disorder or any relationship between her service-connected pelvic inflammatory disease and her degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip and ankle disabilities are not causally or etiologically related to service, nor were they caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities.,VA examinations did not find any evidence of a right hip or right ankle condition during active service. The examiner also noted that medical literature does not support the contention that the Veteran's hip and ankle disabilities are caused by or result from his right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed hip, pes planus, low back strain, neck disorder, or eye disorders. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for higher initial ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee subluxation, and sacroiliac dysfunction are denied as they do not meet the criteria for the assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and degenerative joint disease of both ankles, render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied all increased rating claims as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations without good cause, which is required in order to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle sprain, leg length discrepancy, bilateral hip strain, and bilateral knee strain with degenerative changes are at least as likely as not related to active military service. Therefore, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and medical evidence, as well as to schedule her for a VA examination. The goal is to determine if the Veteran has residuals of a right knee injury that may be related to her current hip, foot, and ankle conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, is proximately caused by his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, postoperative and with ankylosis, is rated at 30 percent since September 5, 2012. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined as the claim was received on June 25, 2009.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability, left ankle disability, chest pain, or bilateral hand disability.,Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective April 1, 2011. The left ankle and right knee disabilities are both rated at their maximum of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current right shoulder or right ankle disorders and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his hearing. His claims for service connection for right ankle and right eye disorders are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification of and support for the September 2011 VA medical opinion regarding service connection claims. The Veteran's claims file should be provided to the appropriate examiner.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ankle disorder. His left knee and left ankle disorders are not service-connected.,His patellar chondromalacia of both knees is not shown to be etiologically related to an injury or illness incurred during his active duty service, nor did osteoarthritis of the left ankle manifest within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his musculoskeletal conditions and abdominal injury, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish an in-service stressor. The left ankle disability rating remains pending as a new examination is needed due to the passage of time since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, and his bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 30 percent prior to November 17, 2013. Since that date, he has been granted a 50 percent rating for the left ankle disability and a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus effective November 17, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his attempts to reopen previously denied claims. The evidence submitted since the last denial is not considered new and material.