Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, ankle, foot, and low back disorders are not related to his military service or any incident therein. The Veteran's only service-connected condition is a residual of a fracture of the right thumb, which does not appear to be aggravated by these other conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims for increased ratings for various elbow and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for a left ear disorder due to lack of evidence showing it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather other issues related to compensation and rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and seeking any outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician to address the Veteran's claims of secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder, diagnosed as residuals of an Achilles tendon tear, is not related to service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's request for a Board hearing was not addressed, and the case is being remanded to schedule her for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left knee and left ankle condition due to an in-service surgery, as further development is needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date for his right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hypertension, left ankle sprain, right shoulder impingement, residuals of rib fracture, and post-operative residuals of a meniscectomy, have been granted. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for development. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right ankle strain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support assigning an initial rating greater than 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee and ankle DJD are found to be proximately due to his service-connected neuritis of the saphenous nerve of the right leg, with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more current VA examination of his left ankle strain.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disorder, right ankle disorder, or left ankle disorder.,Therefore, the Board finds that service connection is not warranted for these conditions.