Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle strain did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no documented injury during service and the VA examiner ruled out a link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left tibia scar was denied in May 2013. The evidence submitted since that decision is not new and material.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability (GERD and peptic ulcers), cervical spine disability, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral feet, hemorrhoids, right lower varicose veins, left lower varicose veins, PTSD, right foot bunionectomy scars, left foot bunionectomy scars, and right knee limitation of extension were not incurred in or a result of active duty service.,The Veteran's acne/rosacea/melasma was granted service connection on September 12, 2011, the day after she was discharged from active duty. The effective date for bilateral knee strain was also granted on September 12, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability, but finds that he has arthralgia of the bilateral ankles which is related to his active service. The claim for service connection for bilateral ankle disability is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since September 8, 2009. The Board granted the maximum available rating for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 18, 2010 to April 14, 2015 and then increased to 70 percent thereafter. The left knee subpatellar tendonitis warranted a separate 10 percent rating, while the left ankle sprain did not warrant an increase beyond its current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran is granted a compensable rating for his right ankle sprain prior to December 19, 2012 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis and increased the disability rating for ankle disability to 30 percent, effective May 13, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including claims for service connection and evaluations for various conditions. The Board has determined that a videoconference hearing is required due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's claimed right ankle, back, bilateral ingrown toenail(s), and right shoulder disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability and denied service connection for this condition. For his low back disability, the Board determined there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic disease, and thus denied service connection on a direct basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses, including post-polio syndrome and its associated right ankle/foot disorders, are not causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for higher ratings were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 30, 2001 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from August 19, 2003 to April 2, 2005 was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 2, 2005 were not met.

The Board has remanded the case to arrange for an orthopedics examination of the Veteran to determine the nature and etiology of all of his current knee, leg, and ankle disabilities. The examiner is asked to furnish an opinion as to whether each disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities. The Veteran must also be scheduled for a new examination before service connection can be decided on the merits for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The conditions are considered secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disability did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not related to his active military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current left ankle or cervical spine disability and determined that any pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection are denied.