Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The VA examiner opined that the current ankle conditions were not incurred during military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his right shoulder arthritis and to issue a statement of the case regarding increased evaluation for left ankle strain, service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right ankle condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle ankylosis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from achieving a vocational goal as an automotive supervisor, and the Board finds that achievement of such a goal is not reasonably feasible.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder claimed as a Tarlov cyst is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Veteran has not yet been evaluated for her left ankle disorder. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if she has a current diagnosis and whether it is related to service.,A VA psychiatric examination will be conducted to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), depression, and anxiety.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for her seizure disorder will be evaluated with consideration given to whether it was aggravated by service. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if this is the case.,A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature of the Veteran's insomnia and its relationship to any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for the rating higher than 20 percent for left ankle tendonitis with traumatic arthritis and residuals of a right ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the low back disability. The initial rating claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and left knee conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service existence and no medical opinion linking these conditions to service. The appellant's claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it was aggravated by active service. Service connection is denied for gout tophaceous arthritis.

The Veteran's combined rating is 50%, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his right knee disability claim. The Veteran's right ankle disability was assigned a maximum 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability, diagnosed as arthralgia manifested by painful motion, loss of range of motion, incoordination and weakened movement, is attributable to service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for non-union of the left ankle, which resulted from a VA hospitalization and surgery in October 2007. The case has been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding additional disability caused by negligence or lack of foreseeability.

The Veteran's discharge from active duty was due to her service-connected disabilities, and she is now eligible for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ankle disability, bilateral hand disability, or asthma. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions on both direct and presumptive grounds.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities are denied. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has granted the appellant's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and gout and arthritis of multiple joints. The July 1979 rating decision denying right knee disability is not found to contain CUE.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, either individually or through their combined-effect thereof, do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the back or right ankle, and thus service connection cannot be granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded to obtain additional medical opinion regarding these conditions.