Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2010. His PTSD remains at a maximum evaluation of 30 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has worsened since her last VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine the current level of severity.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left ankle disability, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 21, 2013 was granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The hearing loss disability remains noncompensable.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service, manifested within one year of service, or caused by his service-connected bilateral foot and right ankle disabilities. The appeal will be remanded for these determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities are as likely as not incurred in military service, granting service connection for these 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 determine if his hepatitis C and right ankle disability are related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle tendonitis was found to warrant a 10% rating prior to July 2, 2012. The claim for service connection for the low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for residuals of left ankle sprain and bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs have been granted at a 10% level.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a right ankle or right leg disability, as the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease and no link to current conditions. The Veteran's lay statements are considered along with the VA examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left ankle, and right thumb disorders are not related to his period of service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions had their onset during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service wisdom teeth extraction or right ankle strain, and therefore service connection is denied for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The remaining issues have been referred for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will handle any further development as required.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, specifically referencing his claims relating to the left ankle, back, knees, warts, lipomas, left elbow, and GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA medical opinion to address the etiology of his left foot and ankle disability, including pes planus. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disease or injury related to the Veteran's left ankle disability and denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been productive of marked ankle disability, warranting a 20 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the sufficiency of the July 2014 addendum opinion.