Ankle decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for left ankle sprain and service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no legal merit to either claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral palmar pitting porokeratosis was granted with a 60% disability rating effective December 21, 2009. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability, including arthritis, did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing at a local VA office. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted, with the assigned rating of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was productive of moderate limited motion from April 14, 2015 to November 20, 2015.,For the period after November 20, 2015, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling of examinations for his cervical spine, right ankle, and right eye disorders. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess his right ankle disability and left hip disability. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability has been granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the appellant's left knee, left ankle, and migraine headache disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation and a total rating for compensation on the basis of individual unemployability was denied. The current rating for arthritis and Achilles tendinopathy of the left ankle is 20 percent, which adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right ankle sprain residuals, left foot fracture residuals, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims for higher ratings for left ankle disability, left ankle scar, and right foot disability are being remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent effective June 3, 2008. The appellant requested an earlier effective date for CRSC benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected ulcer condition, but this was denied as the Department of the Air Force (USAF) had not determined that the ulcer condition was combat-related.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The examiner must consider the Veteran's complaints of constant pain and occurrences of immobility due to his bilateral leg disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, sleep apnea, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disorders are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any injury, illness, or incident during service. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain was denied.