Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any time period. The evidence does not show ankylosis of the ankle or nonunion with loose motion requiring a brace.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the aforementioned issues, and they are hereby dismissed.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease and whether it was caused by his service-connected Graves' disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right hip, left hip, right ankle, and left ankle are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hips, knees, ankles, feet or back. The arthritis of multiple joints is not service connected as it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to service. The bilateral hip disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and back disorder are also not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle, left hip, and right hip disabilities are due to his service-connected right ankle, knee, and/or low back disabilities. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is not related to service, as there was no diagnosis of arthritis until many years after separation from service.,The Veteran's current right foot and ankle conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, left ankle disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current disability in the claimed conditions. The VA examiners provided clear and persuasive opinions that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability. The Veteran's scars on the chest, shoulder, and back are also found to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities. The primary reason is that there are no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Veteran's squamous skin cell carcinoma is not service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of squamous skin cell carcinoma and there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. For his right foot and left foot disabilities, the VA examiner found no direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent for instability, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral ankle conditions. The evidence received since the last final denial is considered new and material as it relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims (current diagnoses of these conditions).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his psychiatric disability, preclude him from substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with reflux esophagus gastritis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 14, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating.