Ankle decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals, fractured malleolus, left, with degenerative changes remains on hold.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle fracture, status post open reduction and internal fixation, warrants a 20 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right ankle disability is not related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and therefore, service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee disability is granted, and his initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle remains pending.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is not service-connected.,Prior to March 14, 2014, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable. From March 14, 2014 onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to inadequate examination reports and further development is required.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle conditions have not met the criteria for increased disability ratings beyond the currently assigned 10 percent and 20 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle and low back disabilities were not shown during service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his service-connected left ankle disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his right knee, pes planus, left foot, and left ankle disabilities. The issues include seeking initial ratings for these conditions and service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to consider all evidence, including a recent VA examination report. The TDIU claim is also deferred until these issues can be addressed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active duty service.,There is no evidence that the claimed right wrist disability, post-concussion syndrome/headaches, or left brachio-plexus injury affecting the sensory dermatomes of T1, T2 and C8 are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's ankle, hip, knee, and shoulder conditions. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right shoulder or right ankle disability and therefore, service connection for these disabilities cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and ankle conditions, as secondary to a bilateral knee disability. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for deformity, congenital, right foot and ankle, pes planus, and residuals of cold weather, bilateral feet were denied as the evidence did not show a current disability or establish a relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include as due to exposure to jet fuel, is denied. The claim for reopening of residuals of a left ankle injury was also denied.

The Veteran's use of VA-issued forearm crutches for the year 2014 is sufficient to warrant a clothing allowance due to their consistent wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of displaced fracture of right ankle (distal fibula) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.