Ankle decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as his right hip condition, have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his back disability rating to 20 percent effective October 3, 2011. The Veteran was not granted any other benefits.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left and right knee disabilities, left and right foot disabilities, and left and right ankle disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The VA examinations did not find any current diagnoses of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability that is related to his military service. The Board finds no evidence of any chronic right ankle condition during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left third finger residuals with minor bony defect, status post neuroma excision. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disorder is addressed in the Remand portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, and further examination is needed as the Veteran is currently incarcerated.

The Board has not been able to locate the evidence cited in the May 2011 rating decision, which may constitute new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the service connection claim. The RO is instructed to make all necessary efforts to obtain the Veteran's complete VA treatment records pertaining to his ankles so that the Board can review all evidence submitted.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis, bilateral flat feet and hammer toes, folliculitis, and hemorrhoids are all found to be related to her service. The Board grants these claims.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence or credible lay statements supporting a current diagnosis of left ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability (gastroenteritis), hypertension, sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle and knee disorders are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's conditions are more likely due to obesity and long-term occupational activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and foot disorders are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The AOJ should schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his current diagnoses, including whether they are related to military service or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse is caused by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral ankle myofascial syndrome, including as secondary to frostbite, are pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, heel spurs (bilateral feet), hip disorder (bilateral), and knee disorder (bilateral). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, status post fractured right ankle, is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral tinea pedis and residuals of a right ankle fracture. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the Veteran's service personnel records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities, claiming they are due to arthritis. The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether these disabilities are related to his service-connected knee disabilities.