Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right calf, left ankle, and left buttock disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow pain, sinusitis, and depression. However, it denied service connection for left ankle disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, right ankle, bilateral hearing loss, left elbow, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claims will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle and bilateral foot disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling since the effective date of her initial grant of service connection. The Board has found that she is entitled to these ratings based on the severity of her symptoms, which include painful motion, flares of pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the claims for service connection for scleroderma, thyroid disease, and TDIU are not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The claim of service connection for a right ankle disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing proper VCAA notice, scheduling a VA examination for hearing loss, and scheduling examinations for the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral ankle disabilities, and right elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities due to procedural errors in reducing their ratings from 20% to 10%. The Veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities are rated under Code 5271, which provides for a 10% rating for moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's service-connected left ankle scar residuals caused or contributed to his post-service left ankle fractures.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's right ankle disorder pre-existed service and was not aggravated by his active duty service. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied. The Board found that hypertension was established during active duty, but no current right ankle or back disability has been shown to be related to service. Right knee disorder is not supported by evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain secondary to his service-connected left foot disability. His initial compensable rating for the right metatarsal fracture remains denied, but he received an increased rating for his left foot condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, hip, ankle, and foot disabilities are secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent rating since March 14, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right ankle sprains is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is causally related to service, and his bilateral ankle disorder is not established as a current disability. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral calf disorder or right knee disorder, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. The remaining issues of secondary service connection are inextricably intertwined with the pes planus claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU prior to December 8, 2010. The effective date of his TDIU award is therefore December 8, 2010.