Ankle decisions — 2014

The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disability in service or for many years after discharge, and the VA examiner concluded that any current right ankle disability is less likely than not incurred in service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disorders were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder disability was granted prior to January 13, 2012, but denied thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material. The claims for respiratory disorder (sarcoidosis), right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, fibromyalgia, and right ankle disorder were also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral ankle strain with shin splints and stress fractures residuals are likely due to injuries sustained during his period of active service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by swelling and pain, resulting in a moderate limitation of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right shoulder conditions are causally related to her service, granting her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected knee and ankle conditions, including myofascial pain syndrome with lateral laxity in both ankles, chronic tears of the lateral meniscus with patellofemoral joint syndrome in the right knee, limitation of extension in the right knee, and patellofemoral joint syndrome in the left knee. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disorder and osteopenic bone density disorder were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claim for an increased rating for IBS and GERD was denied by operation of law.

The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due solely to her service-connected disabilities prior to May 21, 2008.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90%, which meets the criteria for TDIU. However, he has not been shown to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a 10% rating for left ankle strain from March 19, 2009 to March 13, 2014. The Board finds service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease is warranted as the evidence supports that it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms and examination findings. Service connection was also denied for left knee and hip disabilities as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, low back disorder, and left eye hyperopia and amblyopia. The claim for service connection for bronchitis was reopened with new evidence showing a current diagnosis of bronchitis. Service connection is granted for these conditions. No service connection is granted for pancreatitis or left hip disorder.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease is related to his in-service right ankle injury, and the Board has determined that service connection for this condition should be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and residuals of a left thumb disability. The remaining claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle/leg disorder did not manifest in service and is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as being proximately due to or caused by a service-connected disability, and has also granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's pre-existing ankle and foot disabilities were aggravated during service. Service connection was denied for the remaining issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability (neck numbness), and left arm numbness are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as a VA examination.