Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left knee DJD is service-connected, and his right L5-S1 radiculopathy remains at a 20 percent rating. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's left ankle posterior tibial dysfunction is found to be causally related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, granting the claim for service connection. The issues of a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left hip, and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis prior to May 13, 2015 and maintained the current 20 percent rating for talonavicular degenerative joint disease of the right foot/ankle.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the right ankle that manifested during or as a result of active military service, nor does he have a current disability of the right ankle that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his right ankle and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his burn scar to the right leg, ankle, and foot was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,The claims for service connection for residuals of a right eye injury (claimed as bilateral eye injury) and trauma to left upper orbit/eyelid without permanent vision problems or pathology (claimed as bilateral eye injury) were reopened. The Veteran now has two new and material evidence-based claims.

The Veteran's folliculitis, low back disability, chronic right ankle sprain disability, and left hand/thumb disability are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran's right thumb disability is not service-connected. A rating in excess of 10 percent for the scar from head surgery is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, TBI, left ankle disability, or thoracic spine disability in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied all claims for service connection as there is no probative evidence of a current disability or link to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of a lumbar spine disability was withdrawn. The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for residuals of left ankle fracture, effective November 16, 2007.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the nature of the Veteran's current heel disabilities and determine if they are related to his active duty service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle, left shoulder, and left elbow DJD. The appeal was also dismissed regarding entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left leg shrapnel residuals, including a left ankle condition and left big toe condition, are not related to his military service.,His right shoulder condition is not related to his military service. The Veteran has no credible evidence of such an association.,The Veteran's headaches have not been shown to be either a chronic disability or etiologically related to military service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was not present until many years after service and is not related to his military service.,His right knee condition has not been shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent for traumatic arthritis, residuals of a left ankle fracture. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for additional VA treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered with consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his left ankle disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and thus new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a qualified physician to address the Veteran's lay assertions regarding abnormal gait caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for residuals of a back condition and found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain, finding no medical evidence linking the current disability to service.