Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the other issues.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted, and he is service-connected for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, hypertension, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, left heel disability, and left shoulder disability were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran does not have a current right or left ankle disability, and the Board finds that service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for his right ankle disability. These claims are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, upper back disability, mid-to-low-back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and PTSD. The Veteran's reports of inservice acoustic trauma are accepted as credible evidence of an in-service event. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the substantive appeal regarding bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The remaining claims have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied all increased rating claims as the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and foot neuropathy, other than his already service-connected tarsal tunnel syndrome, is not related to his service or any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current condition of swollen feet, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the feet and ankles, is not related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a chronic disability manifested by swollen feet that had an onset in active service or is otherwise related to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, but finds that new and material evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service. The earliest post-service clinical evidence of a right ankle disability is more than a decade after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, right foot, bilateral knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities due to lack of clear and unmistakable error in the January 2015 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is at least as likely as not related to his current condition. The claims for sleep disorder, right ear hearing loss disability, flat feet, and bilateral ankle disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examination records, outstanding VA treatment records, and potential need for further examinations. The claims will be considered together as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder, low back disorder, and secondary hip and leg disorders. The evidence received since the prior denial was not considered material in relation to the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the issuance of a statement of the case on her service connection claim and the provision of a VA examination to assess her scars of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to his PTSD and other disabilities, as he is capable of performing work in a more sedentary capacity.

The Board denied referral on an extraschedular basis for the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating greater than 20 percent for right ankle instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, heart disability secondary to service-connected disabilities of the left knee and low back, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's arthritis is not related to his active duty service or within one year post-service.