Ankle decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic lumbar spine residual degenerative joint disease, chronic sacroiliac and coccyx sprain, chronic posttraumatic residual left shoulder sprain and degenerative joint disease, posttraumatic right knee residual degenerative joint disease, posttraumatic left knee residual degenerative joint disease, and posttraumatic left ankle residual degenerative joint disease.

The Board found no ankle, knee, or hip injury or disorder manifested in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, right ankle fracture, and third degree burns) are rated at 80 percent combined. The Board finds that these disabilities render the Veteran incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional medical evidence. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD was increased to 60 percent effective May 23, 2013. The TDIU claim is remanded as the Veteran has not been provided with a new VA examination or application form.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for a disability manifested by jaw pain (claimed as due to exposure to paint remover) and entitlement to service connection for a left varicocele.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected cold injuries to the feet. Therefore, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the current state of his left ankle replacement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current right ankle and right hand disabilities. The issues on appeal are related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his ability to perform sedentary work despite the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's non-compensable service-connected disabilities do not interfere with his employability, and therefore, the claim for a 10 percent rating is denied.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right ankle condition and any diagnosed disability associated with dizziness. Additionally, a VA opinion will be obtained regarding whether the Veteran's narcolepsy is caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent prior to December 3, 2010 and increased to 30 percent effective from that date. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.,For lumbosacral strain, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating prior to December 3, 2010 and a 20 percent rating effective from that date. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.,The Veteran's postoperative residuals of a stress fracture of the right ankle were rated at 20 percent since July 1, 2007. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 29, 2002 for the award of service connection for PTSD with MDD. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn.

The Board has found that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran's increased rating claim for his right ankle disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain VA treatment records and private medical records from Tulane University.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic bilateral shoulder disability, right ankle disability, or cervical spine disability related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against his claims for these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and dismissed the appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The claim of service connection for sterility is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, cervical osteoarthritis, residuals of a right ankle injury, scar of the right thigh, and erectile dysfunction, result in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as he has more than one disability rated at least 40 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and higher ratings for his right shoulder disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that the earliest possible effective date was February 25, 2003, and denying entitlement to staged ratings.