Ankle decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left ankle disorder (PTT insufficiency) are service-connected. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is considered a direct result of his active duty, while his PTT insufficiency is found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate October 2014 medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, which is secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture residuals, will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder warrants a 20 percent disability rating, reflecting marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee, degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, left hallux valgus and bunion deformity with early degenerative changes of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and bone spurs of the right ankle are all related to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the cyst of the mid back and chest pains have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private and VA treatment records, scheduling a new examination, and adjudicating the claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 24, 2013. The Veteran's post-phlebitic syndrome in his left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for right ankle avulsion fracture residuals, service connection for left knee and low back disorders were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to March 1, 2013, or a 20 percent evaluation after March 1, 2013 for right ankle avulsion fracture residuals. Service connection was also denied for left knee and low back disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted and issues needing clarification.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and as such the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and thus denied all of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability with traumatic arthritis and calcification of the Achilles tendon is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately considers his functional losses as per VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease disability and assigned a 100 percent rating effective May 7, 2013. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability, which resulted in moderate limitation of motion, did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left ankle disability and lumbar spine disability were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's left foot and ankle disorder has been granted an initial 20 percent rating, with the appeal being remanded for further development regarding whether a higher evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The claims for service connection of PTSD/psychosis, bilateral knee disorder, and back disorder were all denied as new evidence did not reopen these previously denied claims.