Ankle decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of TBI, and left ankle disability were denied. The claim for a higher rating for the left ankle was granted to 20 percent but not extended beyond February 28, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle and low back disabilities, as well as DJD other than of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims for residuals of a head injury, DM, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and degenerative changes of the right knee, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and it may not be presumed to have been.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing proper notice on secondary service connection and obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left ankle disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various ankle, foot, knee, and wrist disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his left shoulder, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations and records to determine the severity of her service-connected conditions and to clarify her claims.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The appeal for service connection was granted, but the criteria for an effective date prior to February 11, 2008 have not been met.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to pancreatic and colon cancer, which were not service-connected. The appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is characterized by pain and limitation of motion that more nearly approximates marked limitation of motion, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right and left tibial stress reactions have been rated at 20 percent since December 7, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of low back, right ankle, left hip degenerative joint disease, and right hip degenerative joint disease. The new evidence shows that these conditions are likely due to his service-connected hammertoe condition with hallux valgus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to military noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of secondary service connection for osteoarthritis of the neck, back, fingers, knees, and ankles due to rheumatoid arthritis remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his service, while his back disability is not. The claim for a back disability is denied.

The Veteran meets the threshold requirements for TDIU due to a single service-connected disability rated at 40 percent or more and a combined rating of 70 percent or higher. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including depression, left knee disability, low back disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and left ankle and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, prevented him from engaging in heavy physical or strenuous manual labor but did not prevent him from performing sedentary work.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing assistance in reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder.