Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, hip, and ankle disorders. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's claims were denied, with the exception of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The remaining claims were either not granted or are pending further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his left ankle disability and whether it meets the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Veteran's appeal to establish the timeliness of his NOD with the August 2008 rating decision is granted. The case is REMANDED for issuance of a SOC addressing the merits of the service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleeping disorder, an intestinal disorder, a headache disorder, fatigue, skin disorders, memory loss, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome, and right ankle strain disorder. The decision was based on lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the right ankle and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete development of records related to his employment, as well as further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further examination and development, including consideration of functional loss due to pain during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to a clerical error, and the Veteran is requesting appellate consideration of the 2014 denial of his claim for service connection for left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits were denied across multiple conditions. The Board found that none of the claimed conditions are service-connected.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disability, left leg disability, or left ankle disability. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral sprain with degenerative changes, degenerative disc disease, left ankle fracture residuals, and right middle finger fracture residuals, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disorder was denied. The VA determined that the current 20 percent disability rating adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of his condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left ankle fractures. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle disability, and a sinus condition. The right knee and left ankle disabilities are found to be related to active service, while the sinus condition is resolved from surgery performed in 2007.

The Veteran's pilar cysts of the scalp are etiologically related to active duty service and therefore, service connection is granted. The claim for a left ankle disability remains pending as it has not been adjudicated by the AOJ.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture, finding that the Veteran's claim was not supported by sufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating for a lumbar spine disability. The other issues are either granted or referred to the AOJ.