Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board has found that the Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are service connected, with the latter being secondary to the former. The claims for higher ratings of his ankle and spine disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left heel and ankle disabilities are related to his service, but denied service connection for left ankle disability due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities. Service connection is also granted for right hip degenerative changes and post traumatic changes. The appeal is denied for the right hip disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle, left knee, and low back disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to October 19, 2005.

The Veteran is prevented from securing and following substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence supports that he suffers severe PTSD symptoms which prevent him from obtaining employment outside of his home.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot/ankle disability and right shoulder disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder are not caused by or related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection claims for back disability, right ankle sprain, and psychiatric disorder are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which represents the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5270. The evidence did not support a finding of ankylosis or other manifestations warranting a higher evaluation. For his acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board determined there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing with the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for an in-person hearing at the RO. The Veteran's appeal is still pending and will be reconsidered after the hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition and determined that it is warranted based on evidence showing that his current ankle disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic right ankle sprain is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, right foot condition, and right hip condition, as well as his claim for service connection of the right hip condition secondary to a right foot condition. The VA examiner found that these conditions are not related to service or caused by any other identified conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left ankle disability related to the appellant's service, including his 1979 injury. The current left ankle disorder is different in nature from the original injury and not linked to any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).