Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right ankle disabilities, as well as his lumbar spine disability, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right ankle disabilities have not met the criteria for higher schedular disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle sprain, post-operative residuals was granted with an effective date of August 16, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle contracture and Achilles tendinitis with degenerative joint disease warrants a 20 percent rating, as it is productive of marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury and dyspepsia (heartburn) are granted. Service connection is denied for diverticulitis, high cholesterol, and presbyopia and myopia.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claims for low back, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and records. The issues include rating the right shoulder disorder, evaluating bilateral knee disorders, determining service connection for left hip, right ankle, and neck disorders, and seeking service connection for a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated as 30 percent disabling since August 6, 2013. The Board finds that the symptoms warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post arthroscopy with partial medial meniscectomy, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The preponderance of evidence does not show that the Veteran had presumptive exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange, nor is there probative evidence of exposure to such. As for diabetes mellitus type II, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tendonitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a urinary condition remains pending.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee disability and a left ankle disability. The Veteran contends that these disabilities were incurred during active service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any current or chronic conditions related to the issues on appeal. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of VA outpatient records.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left foot and/or ankle injury, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims were denied as his claims are not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed elbow, wrist, or ankle disability, to include fibromyalgia, that was caused by her service.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, right wrist sprain, left wrist injury residuals, and postoperative residuals of a fracture of the left ankle are all rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted increased ratings to 20 percent for his mechanical low back pain from July 31, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right and left ankle disabilities, finding no current clinical evidence of such disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty service and have denied all of his claims.