Ankle decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's right elbow and ankle disabilities do not warrant higher initial ratings throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left foot disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition more closely approximated a severe foot injury or pronounced unilateral acquired flatfoot with marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is not related to her service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a fractured talus of the right ankle was denied as his disability is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle, hip, and low back disabilities due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle inversion sprain, claimed as arthritis in the right foot and broken right ankle and right foot, is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The examiner's opinion was internally inconsistent and contained factual errors.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a left arm, bilateral foot or bilateral ankle disability. As such, the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder was not addressed as it is not related to the issues on appeal.,Service connection for epididymitis was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder due to inadequate medical opinion and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral ankle, as secondary to his already service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the underlying cause(s) of his claimed condition. The VA will need to provide an adequate examination and obtain additional medical records before a decision can be made.

The Board has reopened the claims for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, cysts, and hearing loss disability due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.,No new evidence was found to reopen the claims for left shoulder disability and anxiety/nervousness.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and skin condition have been granted increased ratings, with the effective date being from August 24, 2007.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The right ankle and knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination, as the current opinions are based on inaccurate factual premises. The low back disability is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disorders, as well as his claim for a bilateral leg disorder secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture with residuals and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are service-connected as secondary to his service-connected shoulder disorder.,PTSD is granted, but due to a depressive disorder with anxiety features.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss disabilities. The decision found that new evidence was not received to reopen the claim for a left ankle injury, and that pre-existing right and left ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new opinion regarding service connection for the right ankle disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected right elbow bursitis, left ankle fracture, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities do not warrant a higher disability rating. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted effective from August 1, 2008.

The VA examiner determined that the service-connected left ankle disability did not substantially or materially contribute to the cause of death.