Ankle decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with posterior tibial dysfunction and degenerative joint disease (DJD), right ankle strain with DJD, and left ankle strain with DJD on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis and remanded his claim for an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of claim. The increase in PTSD rating to 70% and service connection for bilateral eye disability are denied as not factually ascertainable within one year prior to March 25, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all remanded. The denial of the claim for left knee disorder is final due to lack of evidence within one year of service.

The Veteran's service-connected scar disabilities and adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a right middle finger condition, finding no evidence of such injury during service and noting the Veteran's preexisting scar.,Service connection was also denied for a right fifth finger disability. The examiner found that any current condition is not related to service as there were no complaints or findings in service regarding this specific finger.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain has been rated at 10% since December 2014. The Board has now granted a higher 20% rating, finding that the disability is manifested by marked limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle enthesopathy is a residual of his injury in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation, specially adapted housing, and a special home adaptation grant as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability, including his degenerative joint disease and cartilage fissure, is related to an in-service injury. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings and conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for residuals of left ankle sprain and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his anxiety disorder and physical disabilities such as knee pain and shoulder impingement syndrome, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder incurred during active duty training (ACDUTRA). The dental disorder claim is denied, and the lung cancer claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to a lack of consideration of a secondary theory. The Veteran's obesity is not considered a disability for VA benefits but may be an intermediate step in determining secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right leg disability, specifically a right ankle fracture, is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no malunion of tibia and fibula or limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as a review of existing medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right ankle disorders, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions in his records.