Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the increased ratings for convulsive headaches and right ankle disability, expressing satisfaction with the granted evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right hand, left hand, right leg, and left leg disabilities. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for respiratory disability, claimed as bronchitis, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to her active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a right ankle condition. The issue is now pending before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection. The left ankle sprain with resection of loose cartilage and insertion of screws did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 28, 2011, or in excess of 20 percent thereafter. Service connection for ischemic heart disease was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a 10 percent evaluation for his right knee strain. The other issues related to the Veteran's conditions have also been resolved in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral knee, and left ankle disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral ear disorder related to the Veteran's active duty service and denied his claim for service connection. The issues regarding entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after the requested development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by limitation of motion and degenerative joint disease, has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disorder and granted it. The remaining issues are addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral shin splints and sinusitis was granted. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle strain, migraines, major depressive disorder, low back strain, plantar fasciitis, and pes planus were also granted with specific rating assignments.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic left shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis, bilateral chronic infrapatellar bursitis with associated patellofemoral syndrome, and bilateral chronic ankle ligament strain with mild laxity. These conditions are deemed to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudication purposes and requires further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and providing notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected left knee disorder and other claimed conditions.