Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, but finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral tibialis posterior tenosynovitis with posttraumatic tendon dysfunction and peroneal tenosynovitis is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot and/or ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during active duty or National Guard service. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by the medical records which showed no complaints or treatment for foot or ankle issues until after his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as his back disability, all secondary to a service-connected bilateral ankle disorder.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service. The VA examiners have opined that the current diagnoses are more likely due to age and obesity.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hip, and right ankle disabilities as the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for a right ankle disability, assessing the severity of bilateral hearing loss, and considering extraschedular evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, right foot disorder, and right ankle disorder. The Board also denied her claim for service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain due to a need for further development. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current ankle and/or knee disabilities are causally related to active service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 13, 2012 and 20 percent thereafter. His lumbar strain (low back disability) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A 10 percent rating has been granted for right knee instability since October 22, 2002. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for ulcerative colitis, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted in some cases, but denied on the merits. The decisions are mixed as to whether certain conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right tibia and fibula fracture is denied. A separate 10 percent rating for painful motion of the right ankle is granted, but only for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left knee, ankle, and foot disorders, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, and migraine headaches. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability and its flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that there was no evidence linking it to service or any incident therein.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for dizziness, right ankle disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, thoracolumbar strain with sacroiliac degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left ankle ligament strain, and PTSD. The remand requests additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's postoperative Achilles tendon repair of the left foot is rated at 20 percent, which is granted.

The Veteran's GERD and hypothyroidism have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial disability ratings for these conditions.,For his hypothyroidism, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating from August 29, 2007, to October 12, 2009, and denied any increase in rating prior to this period and since October 13, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic venous stasis vascular disease in both legs, and ankle sores due to undiagnosed illness, have resulted in an inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to the wants of nature on a regular basis, and protect himself from daily hazards. The Veteran needs aid and attendance for these reasons.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as they limit his ability to perform work that requires prolonged standing or walking and fine motor skills. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise regarding whether he is entitled to a TDIU.