Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability with recurrent sprains and DJD, is granted as service connected. The other conditions are not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, but denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's skin disability is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied an increase in a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not show more than moderate limitation of motion and no other compensable factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar disc disease and chronic lumbar strain (lumbar spine disability), an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for post-operative residuals of left ankle surgery (left ankle disability), a compensable rating prior to September 20, 2013 and 20 percent thereafter, for left foot numbness, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a dog bite, left ankle condition, head injury, PTSD, and schizophrenia, paranoid type.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral ankle disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

As of May 6, 2013, the Veteran's right ankle osteoarthritis has been manifested by marked limitation of motion and warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder has been rated at 20 percent since October 24, 2006. The current rating is based on marked limitation of motion.,PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since March 10, 2006. The current rating reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his hallux valgus of the right foot is noncompensable. The Board has found that both conditions meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was granted a 40% rating effective September 2, 2014. His lumbosacral strain has been rated at 40% since that date.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a multiple joint disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for various knee conditions, arthritis, and Bell's palsy. Additionally, the Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hammer toe, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, left ankle arthritis, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and hepatitis C. The appeal is being remanded to allow for a new hearing before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot and ankle disabilities are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's posttraumatic Achilles tendinitis of the left ankle is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left ankle disability was granted, but the RO assigned a temporary total rating based on convalescence following surgery. The claim is no longer before the Board as service connection for sleep apnea has been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records, the Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his active duty service or any incident therein. The right ankle disability was not manifested during service or within one year of separation from service, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The issues of reopening service connection claims and entitlement to service connection are still pending.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral ankle disability and the Board finds that service connection is not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease did not have its onset in service or within the one-year presumptive period following service, and is not etiologically related to service or service-connected left ankle scar.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle injury were rated at 10 percent prior to June 4, 2014. As of June 4, 2014, the disability was rated at 20 percent.