Ankle decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations for PTSD and left ankle conditions, and readjudicating the issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for lumbar myositis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, kidney disability, sleep problems, bilateral elbow disabilities, and bilateral hand disabilities were denied as there is no evidence that any such conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a right ankle injury. The issues of service connection for narcolepsy and dizziness remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain his SSA records, including all administrative decisions and underlying medical records.

The Veteran's post-operative traumatic arthritis of the right ankle is currently manifested by marked limitation of motion, but does not result in ankylosis of the ankle or subastragalar/tarsal joint; malunion of os calcis/astragalus; or astragalectomy. As such, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran does not have additional disability residual of the cardiac catheterization performed at a VA medical facility on March 17, 1987. The Board finds that his currently claimed disabilities are unrelated to this surgery.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for right knee disability, bilateral wrist disability and bilateral ankle disability. The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability was granted service connection based on degenerative arthritis, but his right knee and bilateral wrist disabilities were not established.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted upon entrance into active service, but did not undergo an increase in disability during service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for his current disabilities.

The Board found the VA examiner's opinion regarding the right knee condition to be lacking in sufficient information to adjudicate the claim, as no baseline level of severity could be identified.,The Veteran's service-connected left ankle condition is not considered to have caused or aggravated his right ankle condition beyond its natural progression.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ankle or left hip disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination with access to diagnostic quality radiographic monitors, as the current examiner did not have such resources and could not determine if the internal fixation devices used were placed in a way that caused delay/non-union of his right ankle fracture.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left foot condition, as there are conflicting opinions regarding whether a preexisting disability existed prior to military service and if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are secondary to his service-connected low back strain.,Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, including posttraumatic arthritis and DJD, warrants a 10 percent initial rating prior to February 19, 2014. From that date forward, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is related to his active service. The right ankle disability claim and TDIU issue are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle and wrist disorders, lumbar spine disorder, tinnitus, and somnambulism. The decision found that there was no evidence of chronic or compensable disabilities during service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which was previously rated as 10 percent disabling, is now rated at 20 percent effective from February 17, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his claimed right shoulder, left shoulder, left wrist, index and middle fingers, right knee, right ankle, bilateral foot disorder (including cold injury residuals), or low back disorders. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from August 1, 2014. The issue of compensable rating for scars associated with the same condition remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and right ankle disorders, finding no evidence of current conditions related to the Veteran's military service or a service-connected disability.