Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service. The claim for service connection for a right hip disability is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by pain, stiffness, and limited motion, is currently rated at 20 percent prior to January 26, 2015. The evidence shows that the Veteran experiences marked limitation of motion in his right ankle.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for moderate limitation of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical evidence available for the decision on service connection. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant VA treatment records and provide a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability and arthritis.

The Veteran is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from December 3, 2009, through March 26, 2010. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise and resolved any doubt in favor of granting TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, diagnosed as 'right ankle sprains with degenerative changes', began in service and continues to this day. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and issues that need further consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hip, low back, and ankle disorders are not related to his service-connected knee disabilities. The maximum rating for his knee conditions has already been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his right ankle disability and additional VA treatment records. The case will be returned for re-consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a low back disability and right ankle disability. The claim for defective vision remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, status post posterior tibialis tendon repair, with residual scars, left ankle is dismissed. The issue of an increased initial rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left ankle disorder and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability effective January 13, 2010. The previous rating of 10 percent was maintained until that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right and left ankle conditions. This includes obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no evidence of a current right rib disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle DJD are established, but not service connected. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle conditions, as well as his claims for initial compensable ratings for lumbar osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis, require additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal was granted as he filed a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the February 2006 VA rating decision, which resulted in the denial of service connection for various conditions and an increase in rating for esophagitis. The remaining issues were decided on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle disability over the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its decision and a need for further development, including a VA examination.