Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle sprain is etiologically related to his active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and TBI. The claims will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional VA and SSA records. The case will be adjudicated again based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The left hip disability is rated at 10 percent, the thoracic spine disability at 10 percent, and the right anterior chest scar and burn residuals of the right ankle are both noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or related to her service-connected disabilities, including her right ankle disability. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism due to an auto accident.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with a Court order, specifically to obtain treatment records from Dr. Paszkowiak regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right ankle strain status post Haglund's resection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 7, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and cold injury residuals have been granted. The claim for chronic fatigue was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance based on use of right and left ankle braces (ASOs) for the year 2014 is denied as her non-rigid ASOs do not qualify under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which includes a left ankle sprain and ORIF, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle avulsion fracture residuals were characterized by moderate limitation of motion and mild to moderate functional loss prior to May 7, 2009. On and after May 7, 2009, the residuals were characterized by marked limitation of motion with moderate to severe functional loss but without ankylosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is attributable to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a back injury, left knee condition, and left ankle condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle arthritis is not related to his in-service injury and denied service connection for this condition. The stomach disorder claim was also denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current stomach issues and service. For the skin disorder, while the examiner noted a history of tinea (likely ringworm), they concluded that a nexus opinion was not necessary due to the absence of a current manifestation.