Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for gout of the right ankle and COPD have been denied. The VA has determined that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for gout or a rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and adjudicating his temporary total disability rating claim.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective November 2, 2008. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, wrist, hand, and ankle disabilities are at least as likely as not due to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current bilateral foot or right ankle disability, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been manifested by marked limitation of motion, but not ankylosis. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent initial disability rating for his residuals of a right ankle fracture with tendonitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining National Guard and Reserve service records, providing an addendum opinion regarding his right foot gout, right ankle condition, and stomach condition, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service and the Board finds that she has a current diagnosis of this condition. The other psychiatric disorders are not currently addressed as they were not specifically mentioned in her claims or during the hearing.

The Veteran's right elbow epicondylitis was found to have begun during service and is therefore granted service connection. The other issues are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his left ankle disability and right ankle condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of this condition is related to his active duty service in Vietnam. The claim for residuals of sprained right ankle was reopened, but denied as new and material evidence had not been received. Service connection for low back disability and hypertension were also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and DJD, right Achilles tendonitis, and left ankle strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the retrieval of pertinent VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence shows that his current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fractured left tibia remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to an in-service injury, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right ankle sprain, left tibia fracture, bilateral shin splints, or a left knee injury and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the service connection matters for additional development based upon the Veteran's Southwest Asia Theater of Operations (SWATO) service. The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for his hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as due to an undiagnosed illness or fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and readjudication.