Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing, and the case will be scheduled after November 1, 2014.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, even considering pain and functional impairment, has not been shown to warrant a higher evaluation. The preponderance of the evidence is against the grant of an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and an examination, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran had a pending claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability at the time of his death, and there was sufficient evidence in the claims file to support such a claim. As a result, burial benefits are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder because no new and material evidence had been received, as there was no current diagnosis of a disability.

The Veteran's claims for right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and relevant treatment records.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for swelling of the ankles, legs, and hands was denied. The Board found that his bilateral ankle arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge from active duty nor was it causally or etiologically related to service or to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for discoloration of the feet was also denied. The Board found that his metatarsal fracture of the left foot did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge from active duty nor was it causally or etiologically related to service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left ankle and knee disabilities have been rated based on their respective diagnostic codes, with the left ankle receiving a 10% rating and the left knee receiving a 20% rating. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate given the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left ankle disability was granted. However, his claims for increased ratings for right ankle sprain were denied both prior to and after October 12, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative changes and bilateral ankle pain with impingement, some cortical thickening of the left ankle and slight prominence involving anterolateral aspect of each ankle, both conditions claimed as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right ankle degenerative joint disease or right great toe fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and multiple joint pain. The Veteran's current sinus disorder was not found to be related to his active service or due to exposure to toxins including CARC paint.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a video conference hearing. The initial evaluations for PTSD and left ankle arthritis of the subtalar joint remain under review.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left and right trapezius strain, as well as the matters of service connection for a right ankle disability and sleep apnea (claimed as due to PTSD). The other claims are being considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing and his disagreement with the denial of service connection for a left elbow disability. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.