Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for the claimed disorders and thus, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle condition, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not that any identified left ankle disability was caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an inadequate VA medical examination report in December 2007, and a need for a new VA examination with findings adequate for rating purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for medical opinions regarding his right ankle sprain and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left knee disability is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and attempting to obtain private medical records from Dr. JN and Dr. NR.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle sprain has been rated as noncompensable prior to March 16, 2017 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board found that the disability manifested in painful motion throughout the relevant claim period but did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,The Veteran's service-connected right wrist strain has been rated as 10 percent disabling since March 24, 2009. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a higher initial rating.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development to address service connection claims, including a TDIU claim and issues related to PTSD. Medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of low back, right ankle, and left wrist disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not etiologically related to her service-connected right knee disabilities, and therefore denied her claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD with spinal stenosis and DJD of the left ankle were denied. The initial rating for DDD with spinal stenosis was granted, but at a lower percentage than requested (10% prior to June 28, 2010; 40% as of June 28, 2010). The claim for DJD of the left ankle was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disorder did not have onset during service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right great toe disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 22, 2014, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The other issues were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year post-service. The current right ankle condition is attributed to his already service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of EDS with multiple joint involvement, including left ankle instability, right and left hip bursitis, right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, low back strain, and left ankle tender scar, became part of her pending February 17, 2010 increased rating claim. The effective date for the award is set at June 10, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have any documented medical follow-up for these conditions until 30 years after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for residuals of a distal fibula fracture of the right ankle and a left ankle sprain, and service connection for a Tailor's bunion and plantar fasciitis including on a secondary basis to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 30 percent since February 13, 2017. The Board found that the condition warranted this rating based on marked eversion of the foot and significant tenderness.