Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran has been granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left ankle arthritis.,Both conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus increased in severity during service and is therefore aggravated by military service. The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, however, did not meet the criteria for service connection as there are no records indicating a current disability or any link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records and arranging an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his back, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability did not manifest during service, within one year of separation, or was caused and/or aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of left ankle degenerative joint disease, finding that the April 1989 rating decision denying service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Board also determined that there is no legal basis to assign an effective date prior to January 20, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back and right ankle disorders, which are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. Additional records will be obtained and a new opinion will be provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the lumbar spine, residuals of a right ankle injury, and residuals of a right knee injury, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental VA opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and a back disorder due to incomplete consideration of all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuous symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle symptoms are not related to his service injury and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right ankle disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service. The VA examiners found no evidence of aggravation beyond expected progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability and there is no evidence linking any such disability to service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle residuals do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his injury involved minimal muscle damage.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disability, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, and a skin rash disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left ankle and fibula disability is manifested by symptoms resulting in moderate ankle disability due to pain and limited motion. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right ankle disability. The Board has determined that an additional examination and opinion are necessary to address the claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, migraine headaches, lumbosacral spine strain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The RO has already granted a 100% rating for coronary artery disease effective October 30, 2014. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's residuals of a right medial tibial plateau stress fracture are proximately due to or the result of her service-connected left hip disorder, and therefore service connection is granted.