Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability was denied as the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion, which is required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities of the left and right shoulders, knees, and ankles are as likely as not attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hemidiaphragm elevation with restrictive lung disease and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right ankle disorder and thus, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office for consideration of additional VA treatment records and potential readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture was denied as the disability is already rated at its maximum under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been manifested by pain, stiffness, and limited motion. The VA examinations have consistently shown moderate limitation of motion without marked limitation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left ankle, hip, and shoulder disorders are not related to his period of service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was rated at 60 percent disabling from February 5, 2003, to September 1, 2003. The service-connected tenosynovitis of the right ankle also warranted a zero percent rating during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, low back, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right and left ankle sprain with arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his current disability levels.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability is being remanded due to the receipt of additional medical evidence and the need to review ongoing treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain inpatient service treatment records, provide the Veteran with VA medical examinations and opinions, and obtain relevant outstanding post-service treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of a current left ankle disability that is related to service, including an in-service injury during active duty or any period of ACDUTRA. The Veteran's statements regarding the Gama Goat incident were deemed unreliable and not credible.