Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disability did not exist prior to service and was not aggravated by service-connected ulcerative pancolitis. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it. The issues of service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle disabilities, and migraine headaches are all addressed on remand.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, and his right hand cold injury with residual cold sensitivity and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including degenerative changes and functional loss of dorsiflexion limited to 5 degrees and plantar flexion limited to 5 degrees with pain throughout, is currently evaluated at the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The Board finds no basis for a higher initial rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's arthritis that led to his total knee arthroplasty, specifically whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot and ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's address was not updated, and she did not appear for her scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, rib disability, and dysentery is denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of such during service or within one year post-service.,Service connection for partial amputation of the left index finger was also denied, with the condition noted at service entrance and not aggravated by any in-service disease or injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an initial rating for right ankle disability due to lack of contemporaneous VA examination. The Veteran is also required to provide evidence that his current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current, separate disabilities in her hips, hands, fingers, knees, ankles, or feet that are distinct from her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis. As such, she is denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide an appropriate VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities, but the current evidence does not definitively establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his active service, granting service connection for this disability. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and reviewing all submitted evidence. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are to be considered in determining his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle condition is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a chronic left ankle disability during or within one year after service. The examiner opined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is not caused by his service-connected shrapnel wounds.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing and clarification of the Veteran's incarceration status.

The Veteran's left ankle surgery resulted in the need for convalescence through August 31, 2011. However, an extension of this rating beyond September 1, 2011 is denied as there was no evidence of doctor-mandated convalescence or severe post-operative residuals.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and began around the same time. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder is denied as there is no current disability.