Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left ankle disability, and there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for these disabilities. The same applies to his right and left lower extremity disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is found to be proximately due to her service-connected left ankle disability, and thus granted secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise such that, when resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection for a left ankle disability is warranted.

The March 1959 rating decision denied service connection for right ankle disability. New evidence submitted since then includes the Veteran's STRs from his second tour of active duty and post-service VA treatment records, which may relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a physician to address the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability and osteoarthritis. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden, confined to his immediate premises, or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not eligible for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case after additional evidence was added to the record. The Veteran and his representative will be given an opportunity to respond before the case is returned to the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities have been denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to potential missing medical records and inextricably intertwined issues. The case must be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and right ankle disability do not meet the criteria for service connection or increased rating, respectively. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no nexus between current disabilities and military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ankle arthritis with bone spur and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Bronson Naval Air Station Hospital and a VA addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled hearing. The issues of service connection for lower back, right ankle, left ankle, and respiratory conditions (including asthma) are still pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 29, 2011. The rating for frostbite of the left foot remains at 30 percent. Separate ratings were assigned for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and Raynaud's-like vascular disability of the left foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional attempts at obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and right ankle disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic osteoarthropathy of the right ankle as no new and material evidence was submitted to link these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting chronic pain with x-ray evidence of mild degenerative changes without compensable limitation of motion.