Ankle decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran's lay statements indicating that he was diagnosed with polyarthritis in service are not supported by the medical evidence, and thus does not meet the second element of service connection (in-service event, injury or disease). As such, service connection for the claimed disabilities is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's Morton's neuroma and right ankle pain are related to his in-service puncture wound.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for elevated liver enzymes, left ankle sprain (claimed as left ankle fracture), bilateral knee pain, and low back pain. However, the RO found no chronic residual disability related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The denial includes the new and material evidence claim for benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as the secondary service connection claims for left shoulder acromioclavicular arthrosis, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and left arm disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected L5 radiculopathy with left foot drop causes a skin disability causing recurrent sores and infections of the left ankle.,Right knee osteoarthritis is caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's L5 radiculopathy with left foot drop.

The Veteran withdrew her claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a miscarriage, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder. The issues on appeal include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right foot condition, left foot condition, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right rotator cuff tendonitis with moderate impingement.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection for PTSD, stomach disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hand disability, bilateral wrist disability, bilateral ankle disability, left knee disability, traumatic head/brain injury, right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, or left inguinal hernia, status-post surgical repair is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn on the issues of entitlement to service connection for ankle arthritis, gum disease, a cracked jawbone, hypertension and a skin condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of Bell's palsy is granted. The Board finds ample evidence to support the onset and ongoing residuals of Bell's palsy in service, with very little evidence suggesting otherwise.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus cannot be granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for a disability to the right foot, ankle or heel as a result of a steroid injection performed in August 1985 at VA Medical Center in San Juan. The case has been remanded due to inadequate examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, with the exception of the time period from March 26, 2012 to April 30, 2013 when he had a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.