Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship between his current condition and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and right shoulder disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating based on their current severity.

The Veteran's right ankle and low back disorders have not been diagnosed, while he has a current diagnosis of a burn scar on his left arm.,Service connection for the burn scar was granted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, bronchial asthma, lumbosacral strain, left arm radiculopathy associated with cervical strain, right shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease, residuals of a right wrist injury with fibrositis, left ankle injury, tinnitus, sinusitis, left knee injury, and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to include a new VA examination that evaluates the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disorder, considering functional loss due to pain and other associated symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective January 14, 2009. The Board found that a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis should have been granted as early as November 19, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was incurred in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other factors warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hemorrhoids, and basal cell carcinoma are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident of service and is not caused or aggravated by the service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left ankle disability and the Board finds that his left ankle pain alone is not considered to be a disability for VA purposes. Therefore, service connection for a left ankle disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities as directly related to service and none can be medically related to residuals of his service connected shell fragment wound. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including articulation disorder (hip), fatigue and low energy, hyperlipidemia, IBS, or diverticulitis. Therefore, his claims are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma during service, is granted. The right hip and ankle disabilities are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal for these issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and has persisted. The right ankle disability is related to a preexisting condition aggravated by service, but the exact nature of its relationship remains unclear. Service connection for colon cancer is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for lower back and bilateral ankle disorders, which she claims were incurred during reserve service. The Board has ordered additional development to include obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle instability prior to August 24, 2013 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left ankle ankylosis with osteoarthritis from August 24, 2013 was also denied.