Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his right knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the claims of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and for increase in ratings for headaches and hypertensive retinopathy.

The Board has granted initial noncompensable evaluations for the service-connected headaches and PTSD, but denied an increased evaluation for TBI residuals. The right ankle disorder claim is not supported by evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disabilities and whether they are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left ankle disability was granted, with a rating of 10 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to properly determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral ankle conditions, as there are conflicting medical opinions in the record.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and disabilities, including numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, heart palpitations, right hip disability, high cholesterol, allergies, stress fractures, left knee disability, papillary necrosis, temporomandibular joint disorder, a lump on the cheek, right ankle disability, pelvic pain, fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, hernia of the abdominal wall, and hemorrhoids. The appeal is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, GERD, residual scar from a left breast lumpectomy, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as his conditions are not related to his military service or due to exposure to Gulf War Syndrome. His current disabilities, such as obesity and hypertension, do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, including as due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The claim for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right knee was also denied.

The Board finds no evidence of a medical nexus between the Veteran's current right ankle disability and her time in active service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 6, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for right knee strain and right ankle sprain are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's recurrent left leg thrombosis and her service-connected left leg disabilities. The appeal is currently in remanded status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to unclear evidence regarding his employability solely based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and neck/cervical spine disorder. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture resulted in a 20 percent evaluation prior to February 13, 2009. From June 1, 2009, the disability was rated at 20 percent.