Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for new medical etiology opinions to address the Veteran's claims of bilateral shin disabilities and left ankle and arch disability, as well as obtaining outstanding records from his service in the Army National Guard and as a reserve of the Army.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right knee injury with secondary right hip, foot, and ankle condition due to the establishment of service connection for these conditions in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective May 2016. The Board also dismissed the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss as they were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a 10 percent rating, and service connection for right ankle arthritis with instability and chronic strain as secondary to the service-connected disability of degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted with a rating of 60 percent, effective from February 28, 1994. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations (60 percent). The post-operative residuals of left ankle injury and left great toe bunion with hallux valgus are both rated at the highest possible under VA regulations (10 percent each), effective from February 28, 1994. The Veteran's scar associated with left great toe with hallux valgus is granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the current severity of her service-connected GERD, right ankle instability, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot/ankle disorder other than gout, arthritis, and bilateral ankle tendonitis, to include bilateral heel spurs, and for a bilateral knee DJD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service-connected. The left elbow, left shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disorders are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service or a service-connected condition. The thoracolumbar spine disorder, testicular pain, chest pain (costochondritis), stomach pain, and headaches are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right ankle disability has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle and shoulder conditions have been granted increased ratings, with the right ankle receiving a 10% rating effective September 20, 2010, and the right shoulder receiving a 20% rating effective January 20, 2016.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities pre-existed service and were not aggravated by in-service injury or incident. The TDIU claim was denied as his disability rating is less than 60% for the relevant period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for hyperlipidemia, left wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), left ankle strain, and left knee strain have been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted service connection. Service connection for left elbow, left shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disorders were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, testicular pain, chest pain (costochondritis), stomach pain, and headaches was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right eye disability and a right ankle disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle and low back disabilities are not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and because there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.