Ankle decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the appellant's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to address his right ankle, left ear disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, left ankle sprain, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep disturbance are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for the Veteran's left ankle disability and to determine if he qualifies for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, bilateral ankle, and right shoulder disabilities did not manifest during service or are otherwise directly related to her service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing at his convenience. The claims of service connection and rating for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed left leg and foot disabilities, as previous examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, right ankle disorder, headache disorder, and residuals of Bell's palsy. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly address these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received from SSA and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's alleged hospitalization in June 1979 needs to be verified, and a VA examination is needed to assess whether his headaches are related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including verifying his National Guard service and assessing the nature and likely etiology of his left ankle disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim will also be reviewed for a determination on its merits.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a stress fracture to the right medial tibial plateau resulted in pain, 'giving out', and degenerative joint disease was objectively confirmed. Since January 13, 2014, his disability has been rated at 30 percent for malunion of the tibia and fibula with marked ankle disability.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from October 2004 to present and providing the Veteran with a new VA examination.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine disability or left ankle disability in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and back disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 13, 2014 for the assignment of a 30 percent evaluation for service-connected COPD. The Veteran's left ankle condition, low back injury, and sleep apnea are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not sustain an injury to his right ankle during service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between current right ankle or knee disabilities and active duty. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis and left foot arthritis with heel spur have been evaluated, but the current ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the appeals for entitlement to service connection for left ankle condition and left foot condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right ankle, bilateral hip, or bilateral knee disorder during the appeal period. The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and abnormal gait are not found to be the cause of her claimed hip and knee disorders.