Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is denied for all issues except the entitlement to an extended period of a temporary total rating for convalescence status-post total right knee replacement, which has been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, diagnosed as a chronic bilateral ankle strain, is related to his active service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left second toe stress fracture was denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for migraine headaches was granted, but the rating assigned (10%) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequency or severity.

The Board denied service connection for stress fractures of the tibia and femur adjacent to the right knee, as well as a right ankle injury, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions in service or sufficient medical evidence linking them to current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed chronic fatigue, joint pain (excluding patella condition of right knee), and precancerous mass of the lower intestine are not related to service or any incident therein.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed traumatic brain injury and right ankle disorder did not have their onset in active service, nor are they related to any incident of service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and legal analysis, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting specialized examinations to determine the nature of his current disabilities and their relationship to the February 2004 VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right ankle disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all issues, including service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities, sinus disorder, left thumb sprain, lumbar strain, shoulder degenerative joint disease, and onychomycosis of bilateral feet. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right wrist disability is granted, with a noncompensable evaluation.,The Veteran's compensable scars from the right leg are maintained. The current evidence does not support an increase in the rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for PTSD and left ankle disorder. These claims are remanded for further review.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, trichotillomania, and asthma due to Agent Orange exposure and smoke inhalation.,The Veteran's heart condition and spinal disorder have not been established as service-connected.,The Veteran's dental disorders do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disability and thus, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for psoriatic arthritis of the left knee are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as the current opinions may be based on inaccurate or incomplete factual premises.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an appropriate VA examination for the Veteran's claimed right and left ankle conditions, as well as to obtain updated VA treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings have been granted, with the left shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative changes receiving a 20 percent rating. The right and left foot disabilities each receive a 10 percent rating prior to April 27, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Allergic rhinitis receives a non-compensable rating. Post-operative scars on the right ankle and left shoulder are also rated as non-compensable.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left ankle disability, effective from December 28, 2007. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral ankle and leg disabilities, which she contends are secondary to her service-connected conditions. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, the claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.