Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's memory loss is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, hypertension, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not attributable to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's memory loss is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness. Diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, hypertension, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not attributable to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding service connection for ADHD and learning disability, as well as the evaluation of her left index finger.,For the cervical spine disability, a rating higher than 20 percent is not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment from June 21, 2010 to June 25, 2010 were not authorized by VA and no VA facility refused to accept a transfer of the Veteran. South Georgia Medical Center documented reasonable attempts to transfer the Veteran to a VA facility.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's right ankle disability will be evaluated again, and it is unclear whether her chronic post tibial tendon dysfunction and surgeries are related to her service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right wrist, left leg (shin splints), right ankle, or right knee disability that was incurred during service. The Veteran's symptoms were not shown to be related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for further development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis meeting DSM-IV criteria. The Board found no current diagnosed disability and thus, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and requests for treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of current back, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The appellant's claims for service connection for headaches, neck disability, shoulder disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left ankle sprain residuals and penile condyloma are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new video conference hearing due to his inability to attend the previously scheduled one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and sciatica of both lower extremities, substantially contributed to his death from myocardial infarction. The appellant is also entitled to a TDIU due to her husband's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings for his service-connected conditions have been granted, with the exception of his claim for an increased rating for dyssomnia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any SSA disability records. The case will be readjudicated after the requested information has been obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decision was made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was incurred in service and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, bilateral dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendons, and bilateral loss of muscles of the calf as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle and knee disabilities are not related to his service, including a motor vehicle accident during ACDUTRA. The VA examinations do not support a direct relationship between the current disabilities and service.