Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, or low back disorder related to service. The Veteran's current bilateral ankle disorders are not considered service-connected.,Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to an unclear opinion from a previous VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left ankle disability and his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The claims of service connection, initial rating, and TDIU are all related and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's combined disability rating from September 15, 2016 is 80 percent. The competent and probative evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 15, 2016.

The Veteran's right leg fracture residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and his right ankle arthritis is separately rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of chronic disabilities affecting the right hip, low back, middle finger, ankles, wrists, thumbs, or shoulder during service. The Veteran's current complaints are not supported by objective medical findings and he does not have a currently diagnosed disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders were not incurred or aggravated by military service, as there is no evidence of such in-service injury or disease. The diagnoses are considered to be related to post-service activities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disorder and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. The criteria for establishing entitlement to service connection have been met, including the presence of current disability, in-service injury or disease, and causal relationship between the present disability and the injury or disease incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examination opinions and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examination and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.

For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's left ankle DJD is manifested by pain, instability, dorsiflexion to at least 10 degrees, plantar flexion to at least 40 degrees, and a torn anterior talofibular ligament. The criteria for a rating of 20 percent have been met.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected scarring of the right ankle, finding that his scars are painful and affect his ability to wear certain types of shoes. The current effective date is not specified.

The case is being remanded for further development to address the service connection claims for various ankle and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran's assertions of secondary service connection are deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle/leg disability and that any claimed right leg sciatica is unrelated to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants an initial 10 percent rating, reflecting moderate limited motion primarily productive of ankle tightness, lack of endurance and painful motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, knee, lumbar spine, ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection in any of these cases.