Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as a higher evaluation for her left shoulder disability, were denied. The current ratings assigned are appropriate.

The Veteran's bilateral hammertoes were found to have been aggravated by service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection was not established for the right ankle disorder as it is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he has been employed full-time with VA since September 2013.

The Veteran's left hand disability is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury. The right ankle disability is also not service-connected due to lack of continuity of symptoms.,The Veteran's bilateral intermetatarsal neuritis and tinea pedis are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating due to bilateral surgical fasciotomies is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her lower leg symptoms or compartment syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and ankle disorders have been granted, with a rating of 10% each. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service connected. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's PFB with consequent scarring is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating due to marked limitation of motion.,The Veteran's right fourth finger disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and there is no evidence provided in the record suggesting it warrants a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from November 29, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran experienced marked ankle disability prior to this date.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and/or low back strain, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The Veteran's right hip and bilateral ankle conditions are being evaluated again with an aim towards determining their etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Board also found that the pre-existing degenerative joint disease of the left ankle existed prior to active service but was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions have been rated as at least a 30 percent rating for the entire period on appeal, which is granted. The Board finds that his left knee and ankle disorders are not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hip disorder, as well as bilateral ankle disorder. However, service connection is not established for right knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether her service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability, as well as the nature and etiology of his right ankle, knee, and leg disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus the claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee instability does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than slight instability.,There are no compensable scars on the Veteran's right knee. The scar is deep and linear, but not painful or unstable.