Ankle decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, wrist, and elbow disabilities were denied as the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral severe sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected lumbar scoliosis with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and lateral listhesis at L3-L4.

The Board found that the Appellant's tension headaches were incurred during INACDUTRA service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, effective February 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on the etiology of any bilateral foot or ankle conditions. The case is therefore REMANDED for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the severity of her service-connected left ankle disability and the etiology of any diagnosed neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his bilateral ankle sprains and residuals of left ankle fracture was granted, with the conditions found etiologically related to in-service injuries. Service connection is established for these conditions.,Service connection is also established for a left foot fusion, which is considered etiologically related to in-service bilateral ankle sprains.

The Board has determined that there is no post-service diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disorder or bilateral pes planus, and thus the criteria for establishing service connection have not been met.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and private medical records. The Veteran must be provided with a statement of the case on all issues and given an opportunity to perfect his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle disability, sleep disorder secondary to PTSD, GERD and gastrointestinal issues secondary to PTSD, erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, fibromyalgia secondary to PTSD, cervical spine disability, and loss of teeth #8 and #9. The primary issue is that the Veteran's claims are based on service connection for PTSD, which does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and is not yet able to determine if service connection should be granted or denied for the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and providing a list of the appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues include service connection claims, increased rating claims, and effective date claims.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and found that the Veteran does not have PTSD. The remaining claims to service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for cholesterol, short-term memory loss, diabetes mellitus, eligibility for a non-service connected pension, and TDIU. The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2009 rating decision.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective June 4, 2011, and her right hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective April 23, 2009.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disability, including his ankle and knee conditions, has been found to meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use. The effective date is not specified as it was granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 20% prior to October 14, 2009 and increased to 30% from February 1, 2010. The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 50% as of February 12, 2013.