Ankle decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, left ankle disability, and hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, tinnitus, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disability are on appeal.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's left Achilles tendon/ankle/heel disability, which may be related to her service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle inversions are currently rated at 20% and the appeal is granted. The issues of secondary service connection for hip pain, thoracolumbar spine disability, and sciatic nerve impairment are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, flash burn of right eye, left eye injury, fracture of the right hand, and bilateral ankle injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle strain, degenerative joint disease with meniscal tear of the right knee, right hip strain, and facet arthrosis at L5-S1 of the lumbar spine are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right foot plantar wart/callus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and left ankle disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service. The fall in 2009 is considered to be a non-service-related incident.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder and a bilateral ankle disorder, finding that he did not have current disabilities of these joints.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle and left ankle atrophy with traumatic arthritis have been denied by the Board. The maximum schedular evaluation available under applicable diagnostic codes has not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, and the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a varicocele, left ankle disorder, and bilateral hand disorders. The Board also denied increased ratings for his shoulder, ankle, and skin disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain based on the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes strain and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 20 percent rating as of May 23, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right leg and low back disorders are not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the VA examiner found no evidence of a current hip disorder present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, left ankle disorder, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle and right shoulder disabilities. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from FCI Butner, USP Terre Haute, and USP Lewisburg, as well as any court documents related to a civil claim filed in 1986 or 1987. The claims will be reconsidered after these developments.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right ankle disability, shrapnel injury of the left leg, and bilateral glaucoma have been denied. The Board finds that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed shoulder, low back, ankle, and hip disabilities. The decision also addressed hypertension and respiratory/pulmonary conditions but did not grant any of these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's right ankle disability is now considered incurred in service, while her claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending due to the submission of new stressor allegations.