Ankle decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disabilities are less likely than not caused by a back injury during military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding her service connection claims and a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted an initial rating of 20 percent from February 25, 2014, to the present. The Veteran also received a 10 percent rating for his right ankle disability from January 12, 2012, to February 24, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left ankle impairment and service connection for limb girdle muscular dystrophy, finding that his symptoms most closely approximated a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying the Veteran's periods of active duty for training.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The pre-existing TBI is found to have been aggravated by active duty service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a pending videoconference hearing request. The Veteran's claims of service connection and TDIU are still under review.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic left ankle strain resulted in moderately limited motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right patella and tibial plateau are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's RSD of the foot and ankle has been rated as 30 percent prior to April 18, 2005, but not more than that since then.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely than not related to his in-service injury. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee strain and left ankle sprain are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, chronic left shoulder strain with laxity, muscle and joint pain of the hands and/or ankles (manifested by undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness), chronic fatigue, and short term memory loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the relationship between the Veteran's current right foot and ankle disabilities and his active military service as a paratrooper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left ankle disability, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding of additional disability resulting from VA care.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeals, citing previous requests for withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Veteran's pes planus is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The right ankle sprain issue was granted service connection.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent effective from August 7, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his temporary total rating for right foot surgery has been extended through May 1, 2011. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the relationship between his low back disability, bilateral knee/hip/disabilities, and ankle disabilities with his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability to include hypertension was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted, thus denying the reopening of his claim. His right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent due to marked limitation of motion.