Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disability was reopened, but the Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding that his current left ankle DJD is related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed lung disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The right and left ankle disabilities are also found to be unrelated to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and left ankle disabilities were not initially manifested during service or within one year after separation from service, are not related to active service, and are not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at the minimum levels, and no higher. The Board has determined that additional evaluations for his right ankle disability, excised calcified hematoma of the right hip, prostatitis with urethritis and benign hyperplasia with nocturia, residuals of upper extremity cold exposure with Raynaud's syndrome (both sides), are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination of his right knee and ankle disabilities. The case will be further adjudicated following completion of these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The highest rating of 40 percent for left ankle replacement is granted effective April 1, 2013.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, breast disability (fibroid cysts), and migraine headaches. Service connection is granted for the breast disability.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a Travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of duty periods and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a right ankle disability and whether it is related to service or his left ankle disability.

The appellant's left ankle posttraumatic arthritis is not considered to be caused by VA treatment, and his schizophrenia and depression are not found to have been proximately caused by VA care. However, the appellant was granted compensation for residuals of an infected compound fracture of the left ankle.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-insertional Achilles tendonitis of the bilateral ankles is related to his military service and grants this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic left ankle and left leg disabilities incurred in active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and foot disabilities. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is being remanded for further medical examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back or ankle disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied both claims: the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and his request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding her left ankle disorder and the need to issue a Statement of the Case for her ovarian cyst claim.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.