Ankle decisions — 2017

From October 1, 2009 to October 7, 2009, the Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 40 percent.,From January 1, 2010 to November 4, 2015, the Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 40 percent.,Since November 5, 2015, the Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran's left and right ankle conditions are currently rated at 10 percent each due to moderate limitation of motion. A higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not indicate marked limitation of motion in either ankle.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right ankle disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year following discharge. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not sustain a chronic ankle disability during service and that his current symptoms are more likely due to obesity and age.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and a left ankle disability, including as due to a right ankle disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to service or manifested within one year of separation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right ankle disability due to new evidence received since the October 2003 denial. The Veteran's current right ankle disability is found to be related to his in-service parachute jump injury.,Service connection is granted for a right ankle disability, with consideration of continuity of symptomatology from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC at a higher rate based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of any higher ratings.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for convalescence following right ankle arthroscopy on May 17, 2010 is extended through November 17, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any right ankle, bilateral foot, left knee iliotibial tendonitis, or lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS and stenosis disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, orthopedic, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's claim can be decided, and thus the case is being remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially in causing his death due to metastatic prostate cancer. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and review of private treatment records. The Veteran's right foot/ankle disability is to be evaluated in light of all available evidence.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle osteoarthritis and a left hammer toe deformity were granted as secondary to his service-connected left pes planus with metatarsalgia. The effective date of the grant is set at April 1, 2015.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 30 percent since June 8, 2010. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and ankle arthritis is a result of his service-connected bilateral knee condition. The Board finds that the Veteran has met the criteria for service connection.