Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ankle disorder, specifically left ankle tendonitis, was incurred in active service. The claim for hypertension is remanded as additional development and examination are needed to determine if it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for a left ankle disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the left hip has been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder or right ankle disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.,Regarding GERD, while the Veteran currently has this condition, there is no probative medical evidence linking it to her in-service gastrointestinal issues. The claim of service connection for GERD is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability, diagnosed as a chronic right ankle sprain with lateral instability, is more likely than not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome, and initial evaluations greater than 10 percent for right wrist and ankle surgical scars. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a left ankle disability and granted it on the merits, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left ankle had its onset during active military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective February 22, 1994. The VA examiner found no ankylosis and noted moderate effects on the Veteran's usual daily activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a VA examination. The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his left ankle disorder, which has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right, left, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The claims for secondary service connection were also denied as there was no established primary service-connected disability.

The Veteran's kidney removal was not due to service, and the low back disability does not warrant a higher rating.,The left knee disability is already rated at its highest possible level of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of right ankle sprain is granted as the current disability is attributable to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is found to be related to service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at 10% since October 1, 2007. The rating has remained unchanged as of September 11, 2012.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues of entitlement to service connection, higher initial ratings for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, remote right ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudicatory purposes and remands the case to obtain a supplemental opinion from an appropriate VA medical professional. Additionally, due process issues related to DRO review are noted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran is granted a temporary total convalescent rating through March 31, 2009 for his right ankle surgery and a 20 percent disability rating for monoarticular arthritis of the right ankle since April 1, 2009.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's right ankle instability warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective November 16, 2009. The evidence does not support a higher rating.