Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran's exposure to solvents during his period of honorable service from February 1977 to August 1979 contributed to the development of his current cirrhosis, and the Board finds service connection for cirrhosis is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's shin splints, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, muscle strain, and residuals of a right calf muscle injury are not related to his active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for the other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU were granted, with the PTSD claim being based on direct service connection due to combat exposure. The TDIU claim was also granted as the Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities likely precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

Your claim for service connection for a left ankle disability has been granted, but the Board's decision was not appealed. As such, your case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this is done.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg, low back, and right foot, ankle, or knee disabilities as well as chronic prostatitis due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left lower extremity disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, clarifying whether he has filed for SSA benefits related to this condition, and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee sprain with chondromalacia. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examination report and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for a skin rash and left ankle disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating was granted in October 2007 with a 10% disability rating effective February 26, 2007. She received a temporary 100% disability rating from March 30, 2009 through July 31, 2009 for left ankle surgery. In April 2012, she was granted another temporary 100% disability rating effective April 16, 2012 through August 31, 2012.,From September 1, 2012 to present, the Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20%

The Veteran's claims for bilateral feet, ankle, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine their etiology. The current rating for hypertension is also on hold.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities. The AOJ will also consider whether a temporary total rating is warranted due to her March 2015 surgery.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle disorders have not been decided.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing left ankle disorder and concluded that the current left ankle disorder is not causally related to service. The Veteran's memory loss was attributed to his service-connected PTSD, thus denying separate service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal of the bilateral ankle condition claim was withdrawn prior to a decision. The mental disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his spine disability was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled examination.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and it is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The lumbar spine disability is not more than 20 percent disabling, the left shoulder strain prior to January 19, 2011, does not meet a higher rating, bilateral pes planus claim was withdrawn, right knee and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome do not meet a higher rating, service connection for a left hip disorder is denied, service connection for right and left elbow disorders is denied, and service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to ensure that his claims are properly considered, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting appropriate examinations.