Ankle decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's appeal is not yet decided on the merits of her service connection claims.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of current right and left ankle disorders being related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left leg disability, which includes a distal tibia spiral fracture and associated ankle strain, was denied as the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with its April 2011 remand instructions, including adjudicating the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims and resolving any appeal taken therefrom. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including upper cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and several psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to address these issues due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability was aggravated by his military service, leading to current arthritis. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with proper notice.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for an ear disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to obtain VA audiological examination reports and ensure that all necessary development has been completed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for acid reflux is being remanded to obtain a clarifying opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his PTSD and depression.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction are being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not directly related, secondary to, or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a disability manifested by voice change is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination and determine if he has a current disability due to intubation during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his left ankle disability and an increased rating for his left ankle disability. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims, and the current ratings are deemed adequate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and headaches, prevented him from working as of March 27, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants TDIU effective March 27, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was withdrawn. The Board found that the Veteran's tension headaches most closely approximated a 30 percent disability rating, based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once per month over several months. For his right ankle sprain with mild degenerative joint disease and arthritis of both knees, he is currently rated at 10 percent each.

The Board is remanding the claims for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address the Veteran's TBI and other claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right leg and/or right ankle disability is not related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right hip strain, left shoulder impingement and arthroscopic debridement with residual scar, chronic right ankle sprain, and left ankle degenerative joint disease were denied. The disabilities are rated based on their direct effects rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot/ankle disability and low back disability have been granted, but the ratings are at their maximum allowable levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle sprain and degenerative joint disease are related to his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle and left knee disabilities are related to his service, granting entitlement to service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left eye injury, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's right ankle disorder was aggravated by his military service.