Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal on all issues currently before the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability was not incurred or aggravated by any period of service, including his reserve service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various disabilities, including ankle, knee, hip, and lower extremity neuropathy, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case is being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and right Achilles tendon rupture as secondary to his service-connected left ankle and/or left knee disabilities have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ankle disorder that was incurred in service or is otherwise related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability is being returned to the AOJ.

The Board found no evidence of a low back or left ankle disorder in service, and the current disorders are not causally connected to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disease, left ankle disability, neuropathy of the right foot, neuropathy of the left hand, neuropathy of the right hand, and neuropathy of the left foot are all denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, sinus disorder (including sinusitis), heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, eye disorder, skin disorder of the feet, upper extremities disorder (manifested by swelling, pain in joints, cramping, and tightness), bilateral or unilateral wrist disorder, disorder of bilateral or unilateral hands and fingers, and hearing loss are all granted as they were incurred in service.

The Board found that the March 1988 administrative decision was not clear and unmistakable error, and that the injuries sustained by the Veteran during service in July 1986 were not the result of his own misconduct. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar strain, neck disability, and right ankle disability are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including a DRO hearing transcript. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as new evidence added to his claims file. The issues include evaluations for various knee and ankle conditions, a compensable evaluation for bronchitis, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a separate 20 percent rating for service-connected residual absence of dorsiflexion in the left ankle joint, as this arose from his April 25, 2005 increased rating claim. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a TBI and/or residuals thereof, to include a headache disorder, or left ankle or back disorders. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and low back disabilities are service-connected, with no issues regarding a rating or TDIU. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome claims will be remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination of the Veteran's right ankle and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the knees and ankles has been denied as there is no evidence of a separate disability. The claims for increased ratings for residuals of right tibial stress fracture and left proximal femur stress fracture have also been denied.