Ankle decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as supported by medical evidence diagnosing the condition and linking it to in-service stressors. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a right ankle disability are addressed separately.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorders are related to military service or his other service-connected disabilities, and for obtaining any relevant treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disability has been manifested by a marked limitation of motion, evidence of degenerative arthritis, and subjective complaints of pain with no evidence of ankylosis. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service-connected disabilities, and therefore cannot establish service connection for residuals of bilateral frozen feet, bilateral ankle arthritis, or a left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are related to service, while the remaining issues have been granted based on direct service connection. The dental disorder claim is reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The RO found that the schedular criteria are adequate to rate each disability under consideration at all points pertinent to this appeal.,The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for SFW residuals of the right thigh/femur, involving impairment to MG XIV.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis was initially rated at 20 percent from April 29, 2008 to August 14, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran's TBI with residual tension headaches is rated at 10 percent since January 17, 2013. The left ankle disability remains noncompensable prior to December 3, 2010 and rated at 10 percent since then. Bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent since January 9, 2013. Right and left calcaneal spurs are each rated at 10 percent since December 3, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle sprain, diagnosed during service and continuing since then, is related to his active duty service. As a result, service connection for residuals of right ankle sprain is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not show marked limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities are both rated at 0 percent as there is no objective evidence of limitation of motion or functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent left shoulder dislocation, right ankle fracture, osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, and hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding private medical records. The Veteran's claims for heart disability, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, residual left Achilles tendon disability, and bilateral ankle arthritis are currently under review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not resolved and requires further examination to determine if his current disabilities had their clinical onset during active service or are related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board is remanding the claims for bilateral hip disability and left knee disability to allow further development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the ankles remains not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disability due to incomplete examination reports, lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-existing conditions, and need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms. The appeal for service connection for a right leg disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability, and right ankle disability. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability remains denied as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.