Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and service treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, knee, ankle, and back disabilities are also being addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for right ankle and right hand conditions, but remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records from prior periods of active duty and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess his disabilities. The appeal will be remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for low back disability and left foot disability, and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound allowance. The reduction from a 10 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for left ankle scar was also found improper. TDIU was not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, a compensable rating for status-post osteochondroma of the left upper fibula, and an initial compensable rating prior to July 14, 2009, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for scar of the left leg.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 20 percent effective June 6, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle did not have its onset during service or is otherwise causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since May 14, 2009. The rating was granted based on the current level of disability and not due to a presumption or reopening of a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right ankle disability was found to be moderate prior to March 24, 2017, but marked thereafter. The left ankle disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. There is no evidence of gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a review of his employment history.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination of her right ankle disability and issuance of a Statement of the Case on her left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain the Veteran's Army Reserve records and to provide addendum medical etiology opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is currently rated at 20 percent disabling prior to November 5, 2007 and remains at that rating on or after November 5, 2007.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain and right knee patellar tendonitis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran is granted specially adapted housing due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including the loss or use of the left lower extremity and residuals of organic disease/injury affecting balance and propulsion. The issue of a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent, and there is no basis for an increased rating. The Veteran has gout in his left ankle and foot, which warrants a compensable rating, but not separate ratings for the wrist and hand or great toe. The Veteran also has arthritis of the left great toe, which warrants a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left ankle disability and TDIU was denied. Her current 20% rating for the left ankle disability is considered adequate, and she does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and dermatitis of the face, groin, stomach, and mid-section are found to be related to service. The right ankle disability is not currently diagnosed or linked to service.