Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle sprain, left ear drainage, and residuals of root canal (tooth number 30) are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the appellant's service connection claims, including obtaining her complete military personnel records and any relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle strains do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to March 14, 2016 is rated at 70 percent and her right ankle injury is rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for asthma has been broadened to a claim for a breathing condition, to include asthma. The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for his left ankle disability and hammer toes.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his right knee disability, left ankle disability, and hammer toes. However, the evidence does not support granting higher evaluations.

The Board finds the evidence to be in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ankle disorder, variously diagnosed as arthritis of the left ankle, can be attributed to an injury or illness during military service. As such, the benefit of the doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran and service connection for a left ankle disability is granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive retinopathy was granted with an effective date of March 9, 2006, the date she was first diagnosed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities and service connection for a left elbow disability, finding that the evidence does not support higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities may render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left hand and fingers, left Achilles tendonitis with heel spur and degenerative joint disease (left ankle disability), and left shoulder DJD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current left ankle disability, and the right ring finger disability is not compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, but the Veteran's left knee meniscus tear and right ankle disorder remain pending issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical opinions regarding the service connection of the veteran's knee, tibia, and ankle conditions.

The Board has determined that additional searches for the Veteran's service treatment records and National Guard/National Reserve records are necessary, as well as an attempt to obtain hospitalization records from 1984. The VA examiner who conducted the June 2012 VA ankle examination is requested to provide a medical opinion regarding whether any current bilateral ankle disability including arthritis is related to disease or injury in active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee, bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, and traumatic arthritis of the left ankle.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ankle arthritis is caused by his service-connected right knee DJD. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for left ankle arthritis is granted.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, effective May 29, 2008. Service connection was also granted for hypertension, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities, all of which are considered direct service connections based on evidence from service records.