Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran has been granted service connection for arthritis of both hips and ankles, diagnosed in March 1995.,Separate ratings are being remanded for the Veteran's skin conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle lateral instability is rated at 20 percent from February 8, 2008 to April 28, 2009. The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent effective since the date of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of the face, chest and right ankle, chronic cough, and headaches as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the left hand, right hand, and right ankle disability are denied as there is no current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is secondary to his service-connected ulnar neuritis.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current left or right ankle disabilities and there is no evidence of a nexus between any diagnosed disability and her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current right ankle and leg disabilities and his active duty service, including any old fractures. The Veteran may also need to provide more information about the location of his amputation procedure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and a headache disorder have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence that would support the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and arthritis of bilateral feet and ankles, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome or any other qualifying chronic disability that could be presumed due to undiagnosed illness in the Gulf War environment.

The Veteran does not have a separate and ratable chronic disability of the upper back or right ankle as a result or consequence of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. The Board is remanding the issues for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations for his service-connected PTSD and right ankle arthritis, as there is evidence of worsening since the last evaluations. The Veteran will also be provided with a Supplemental Statement of the Case if his benefits are not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The issues of increased evaluations for left ankle fracture with Achilles tendonitis, low back strain with degenerative disc disease, TDIU prior to February 19, 2009, and DEA benefits prior to February 19, 2009 are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lumbo-thoracic spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,No exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Board determined that the Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they secondary to her service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided. This includes obtaining outstanding VA treatment records, requesting private medical records, and arranging for a mental health examination.