Ankle decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions manifested during or within one year after service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms in service, continuous symptomatology since service, or manifestation of degenerative joint disease (DJD) to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle strain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and lumbar spine disorder (scoliosis and degenerative arthritis) as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle strain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and lumbar spine disorder (scoliosis and degenerative arthritis) as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for a scar on the right lower fibula is denied. The issue of service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The left and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination, and the neck disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for residuals of a left shoulder injury has been withdrawn. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle DJD are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service and has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left foot and ankle disabilities as secondary to a right ankle disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are linked to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its previous decision regarding service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right ankle and left ankle injuries, right foot injury, left foot injury, right foot sores, and left foot sores. The Veteran needs further examinations and evidence review.

The Veteran's left Achilles tendon rupture and associated ankle limitations are granted with a 10 percent rating. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for the limitation of motion in his left ankle. The compensable rating for the surgical scar on his foot remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition, cervical spondylosis, left ankle condition, sinus problems, traumatic brain injury, and abdominal muscle condition. The decision is based on a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.,The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service injuries were inconsistent and unreliable, casting doubt on their credibility.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and right ankle disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral ankle disability have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of aggravation or increase in severity beyond natural progression. For his TDIU claim, the Veteran was granted from January 31, 2011 to April 8, 2016.

The Veteran's right lateral epicondylitis is related to in-service injuries and granted service connection.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as the disorder began during active service.,Degenerative arthritis of the right knee and arthritis of the right ankle are not service-connected, with no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0% (noncompensable) due to current hearing acuity levels.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and private podiatry records. The Veteran's right lower extremity disabilities, including his low back disorder, are claimed as secondary to his left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-hand arthritis, a right ankle disability, right CTS, headaches, and residuals of frostbite. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by service and granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, back disability, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability have all been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.,Service connection was presumed due to exposure during service, but clear and unmistakable evidence showed that the disabilities existed prior to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all issues except the psychiatric disorder, which was dismissed due to lack of appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for RA of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, right ankle, and left ankle are all denied. A separate 10% rating is granted for RA of the right hand. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU prior to October 3, 2014 were also denied.