Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, or left hip condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing with a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, which approximates marked limitation of motion. Service connection for pes planus has been granted on a secondary basis due to the service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety/adjustment disorder and assigned an initial 50 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and employment information. The veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left ankle disorder will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's left ankle exostosis is granted service connection. The initial rating for his lumbar spine disability remains at 10% prior to October 26, 2010 and 40% thereafter.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI; entitlement to disability ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to October 20, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, for headaches; and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion and residuals of a fibula fracture of the right ankle.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and left ankle disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability alone does not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and service personnel records from Fort Gordon and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of ongoing symptoms or treatment following separation from service. The current conditions are more likely due to natural degeneration over time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot and ankle conditions are less likely than not caused by her in-service left ankle sprain, but may be related to aggravation of a pre-existing pes planus condition.

The Veteran's back disability is found to have had its clinical onset during active service and is related to in-service disease, event, or injury. The left ankle and shoulder disabilities are not currently established as having their clinical onset during active service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his in-service injury and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a dental avulsion, secondary to left tibial fracture. The claims for increased evaluations of various disabilities have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the majority of issues remanded for further examination and opinion. The primary focus is on sleep apnea and its relationship to other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and insufficient evidence to support a higher rating.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disorder, including considering his reported symptoms since military service.

The Veteran's current left ankle disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred.