Ankle decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right ankle disability and service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder have been denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis in the right ankle, and there is no current diagnosis of a gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, the maximum under DC 5271 for limitation of motion.,Bilateral plantar fasciitis is not service-connected as it is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left ankle disabilities require the use of braces, which tend to wear out his clothing. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the year 2016 based on this.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a traumatic brain injury or left ankle injury related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new opinion on his ability to function in an occupational environment due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his respiratory and ankle conditions, as well as the severity of his bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that reducing the disability rating for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective October 1, 2012, was improper and restored the original 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 30 percent since December 8, 2006. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from December 8, 2006, based on the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding private treatment records and clarification on whether the Veteran wishes to withdraw her claim for service connection of bilateral shoulders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from December 28, 2009 to September 30, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis, effective April 24, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle arthritis is not related to her service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and shoulder disorders. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that would warrant presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's tarsal tunnel syndrome and DJD of the right foot and ankle were rated at 10 percent prior to April 24, 2014. The Veteran's left foot and ankle DJD was also rated at 10 percent prior to February 2, 2013, but a separate rating for left tarsal tunnel syndrome is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, a left knee disability, and disabilities manifested by pain in the left ankle/foot and right ankle/foot (other than from the service-connected right foot drop).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right ankle disability was aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for the aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis was first diagnosed during active service and is therefore granted service connection. The issue of service connection for a left ankle disability remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and low back condition. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, a left knee disability, a lower back disability, a sleep disorder, hypertension, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, acid reflux disease, a left ankle disability, a right ankle disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.