Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected left ankle disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating beyond 20 percent, as there was no demonstration of ankylosis or impairment of the tibia or fibula.

The Veteran's claimed generalized joint and muscle pain has been attributed to known clinical diagnoses, and is not related to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability. The Board finds that service connection cannot be granted as the symptoms are not due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (left knee, right knee, and right ankle) have been found to meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to November 22, 2014. The combined rating of these conditions is at least 70% during this period.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed lumbar spine, bilateral knee, or bilateral ankle disabilities are etiologically related to his active duty service and/or caused by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left and right ankle disabilities, right hand disability, sleep disorders, as well as any psychiatric treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his right ankle disability. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination and provide additional evidence as needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond and the claim will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeals for a right ankle disability, an increased rating for headaches, and a right knee disability have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic tremors as secondary to his service-connected head trauma.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each for the entire period on appeal, with marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he received proper notice of a VA examination and for other indicated development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar strain and osteoarthritis of the lower back, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, began in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings for total left knee arthroplasty and left knee surgical scar, finding that the symptoms are already accounted for by the assigned schedular ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity disability, including his service-connected right knee disability and other aspects of the limb, does not meet the criteria for a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining educational records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease (DJD), was previously rated at 20 percent. After a January 2017 VA examination indicated that the Veteran's dorsiflexion range of motion was limited to 10 degrees and he experienced functional loss due to pain and weakness, his rating was increased to 30 percent effective from January 10, 2017.

The Veteran's cause of death is service-connected due to the prescribed medications for his service-connected disabilities causing multiple drug toxicity.