Ankle decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rhinitis is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected status post nasal fracture with mild depression of the left nasal bone. The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for left ankle degenerative arthritis will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including those related to undiagnosed illnesses or chronic multisymptom illnesses. The claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service sprain. The right ankle disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a right ankle injury or disease during service and insufficient medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of a current ankle condition related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, and no higher evaluations are warranted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is related to his service-connected condition, and he has been granted a higher evaluation for his depressive disorder. The other claims have been denied.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee was found to have limited flexion but no extension limitation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral knee and low back disabilities as secondary to the left ankle disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are all granted.

The Veteran's chronic body pain, including fibromyalgia and joint/muscle conditions, were not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The Board denied the claims for these issues.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple joint pain (excluding knees and elbows), respiratory disorder, and sleep disturbance, are not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a qualifying chronic disability related to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected heart disability, finding that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted prior to April 1, 2009, and granted a 60 percent rating effective from April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the left and right legs have resulted in persistent edema, stasis pigmentation, and intermittent ulceration throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for each leg.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA medical center records from Little Rock.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and to provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture caused his bilateral knee and hip disabilities, thus granting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of current tinea pedis, and the preexisting bilateral pes planus and left ankle conditions did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Board found that the evidence did not substantiate an injury in service or a nexus between any event in service and a current left ankle disorder, thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has not manifested ankylosis or malunion or nonunion of the tibia and fibula, which are required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5262 and 5271. As such, his claim for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims for service connection.