Ankle decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and left ankle strain are at least as likely as not caused by his active service.,For the reasons stated above, the claims for service connection for these disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities were rated at 10 percent effective May 23, 2008. The Board found that the increase in disability was not ascertainable prior to this date.

The Veteran's joint pain of the hands, left ankle and hips is not service-connected as it cannot be attributed to any known clinical diagnosis.,The Veteran's rash condition is not a MUCMI or an undiagnosed illness. It did not have its onset during service and was not caused by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle and knee disabilities, and for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle, big toe, shoulder, cervical spine, left knee, and skin disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing their onset or causation in service.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals necessitated convalescence to November 31, 2007. The temporary total rating was extended to this date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues, including service connection claims.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left hand, right hand, and right ankle to his active duty service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for his right ankle disability was granted in March 2008, and a subsequent 10 percent rating was assigned effective September 24, 2007. The RO also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with an initial 20 percent evaluation effective the same date.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's right ankle condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic ankle or knee disability related to service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not etiologically linked to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing all available treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the extent of his service-connected left ankle disability, including pain and functional loss. The case will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any current headaches, low back disorder, bilateral leg and ankle disorder, hip disorder, and PFB.

The Veteran's claims for non-service connected pension, service connection for bilateral foot disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was also denied.,No current diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was found in the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative joint disease, left hip arthritis, left knee strain, and left ankle ligament sprain do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral ankle disorder, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is granted based on presumptive service connection under the provisions of the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Act.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is not shown to be related to service, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.,VA examination revealed no current right or left knee disability. The Veteran reported pain in service but there was no medical record documentation until 2011.