Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was caused in part by his service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities. The Board has granted the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been diagnosed as an osteochondral lesion of the medial talar dome. His heart disability is currently under review, with a determination pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 1, 2010, for the grant of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities and associated scars are granted as of May 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that service connection cannot be granted for deep vein thrombosis of the right leg, as it is not attributable to service and secondary service connection based on a right ankle disorder is precluded. The Veteran's right ankle disorder, left hip arthritis, broken right fibula, and neuropathy of the feet are also not attributable to service or caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted direct service connection for a right ankle disability, including ligament reconstruction and tarsal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, a compensable rating for acute bacterial prostatitis with symptoms of pyuria and hematuria, and entitlement to TDIU. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence that the right ankle condition preexisted service, and concluded that it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the percentage rating standards for a schedular TDIU prior to September 12, 2000. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU on this basis and remanded the issue of an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The Board granted service connection for costochondritis and bilateral hand disability, and increased ratings for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran was also awarded a compensable rating for his hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis conditions. Service connection for the varicocele was established.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is manifested by continuous pain with no more than moderate limitation of motion, even considering flare-ups and the effects of pain and weakness. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of his claims, including TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the back, bilateral feet, bilateral ankles, and bilateral hands is related to service or his service-connected right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities. The claim for pseudofolliculitis remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, sleep disorder, and skin disability (eczema). The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the left ankle claim. For the other conditions, there was insufficient evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and PTSD have been granted initial evaluations, with the right ankle rated at 10 percent from March 2, 2007, to February 3, 2015, and PTSD rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his service-connected right knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is etiologically related to his in-service injury. The right leg claim was withdrawn by the Veteran before the decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 50 percent for psoriatic arthritis with bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus, right ankle psoriatic arthritis, left ankle psoriatic arthritis, and left wrist psoriatic arthritis have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist degenerative joint disease and left great toe hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective September 1, 2008. The Veteran's other claims remain unresolved.