Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for any of the conditions listed, including PTSD.

The Veteran's somatization disorder with PTSD is rated at 100 percent, rendering moot his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). His claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's right knee, left hip, or left ankle disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a left hamstring injury, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The right ankle and foot disorder is found to be as likely as not related to military service.

The Veteran's medical expenses for non-VA care on October 21st and 22nd, 2010 were reimbursed due to the nature of her injuries being related to a service-connected condition (right knee disability), and VA facilities not being feasibly available.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent from June 23, 2009 to February 22, 2012 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The scar associated with the Achilles tendon repair received a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing notice regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on VA's part in furnishing medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis related to swelling or edema of her feet and ankles, and there is no evidence showing chronic foot or ankle disabilities during service. The Board finds that her current bilateral ankle and foot DJD are less likely than not incurred in or caused by her injuries during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle condition and idiopathic polyneuropathy of both lower extremities are found to be related to his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with history of herniated disc.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes degenerative joint disease with ligamentous tear and instability as well as an old fracture of the os trigonum, is rated at a higher 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5270 for ankylosis in dorsiflexion between 0 and 10 degrees. The Veteran's right ankle disability more closely approximates this condition than the previous 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders and frostbite residuals of the nipples and toes, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disability.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis/osteoarthritis of the right knee.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for proximal tibial stress fractures of the left knee with osteoarthritis is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral ankle disorders are denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to January 2003.

The Veteran sustained injuries to his left knee and ankle during service, but there is no evidence of a chronic disability that can be presumed to have been incurred in service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and medical records to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left ankle disorders. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination regarding his headaches, and additional medical records are requested. The issues of service connection for left ankle, left hip, and right hip disabilities as well as TDIU remain pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back, knee, and hip disabilities are not related to his in-service right ankle injury. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, back, bilateral shoulder, skin, and vision/eye disorders. However, it remains to be determined whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.