Ankle decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, status post right ankle fracture with retained hardware is granted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected left ankle disability. The rating for his left ankle disability is also being remanded for a more current VA examination.

The Board has found insufficient evidence of the Veteran's current right knee and ankle functioning to adjudicate his claims for higher evaluations at this time, and thus remands the matter for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is related to in-service injuries and has been granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle and leg disabilities, finding that the symptoms were attributable to cellulitis and not a separate disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on all three issues: right hip tendonitis, right ankle tendonitis, and lateral epicondylitis tendonitis of the right elbow. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, claimed as secondary to his right ankle disability, has been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current condition.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's service treatment records did not document any injuries or diseases involving her feet, and she had no symptoms at discharge.,The claim for dental conditions was denied as there is no indication of an impairment of the mandible, loss of a portion of the ramus, or loss of a portion of the maxilla. The Veteran's current condition consists of treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected right ankle disability, effective from the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her left ankle disability and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is now before the undersigned for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome and bilateral ankle instability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, foot disorders, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these areas or a causal link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right knee arthritis, left hip arthritis, and right hip arthritis are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's right ankle disability and left shoulder arthritis and right shoulder arthritis are proximately due (subsequent manifestation) of his now service-connected arthritis.

The appeal of the left ankle disability claim is dismissed. The dizziness and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded for further action.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his right and left shoulder, hand, and ankle conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his current joint changes and his in-service rheumatic fever.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disorder, finding that it is not related to his active service.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's claimed right foot disorder (degenerative arthritis), as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.