Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for right ankle status post triple arthrodesis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The right ankle disability claim is remanded as there was an inadequate opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various joint disorders, including arthritis of the shoulders, wrists, hands, knees, and ankles. The Board has determined that further investigation into his pre-existing conditions during military service is necessary.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain does not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization so as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards, and therefore, entitlement to an extraschedular rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and adjudication of his claims, including right ankle traumatic arthritis and individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and updating the Veteran's treatment records. The issues on appeal are whether service connection should be granted for fibromyalgia and its residuals of a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at an initial noncompensable rating, but the Board has determined that a 10 percent rating is warranted based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral testicular cysts, a left leg disability (including left ankle pain), headaches, and rectal fissures have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities is pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed foot, ankle and knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. They may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of VA treatment records. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for PTSD, right ankle disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder, back disorder, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The initial disability ratings assigned are as follows: a non-compensable rating for IBS and a 10 percent rating for right ankle sprain with tendonitis and right talus cyst.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, dizziness (vertigo), lung condition, cold weather injury residuals, and arthritis of hands, knees, feet, ankles, and hips are not related to his active service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not etiologically related to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The left ankle issue remains pending.

The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's left ankle sprain and right knee disorder are related to service. Therefore, both conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disabilities, including osteochondral injury, sinus tarsi syndrome, and degenerative joint disease (DJD), are related to his in-service fall during ACDUTRA. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's neck disability is related to a period of active duty for training and service connection is granted. The claims for left ankle and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of current right wrist, ankle or knee disabilities.