Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's disability ratings for left knee DJD with limited extension, right knee DJD with limited extension, and residuals of right ankle sprains were restored to their previous levels.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture with hardware placement has resulted in moderate limited motion, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a disability. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of any of the claimed conditions and has not had diagnoses at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board dismissed the claims for chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, but finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral tibialis posterior tenosynovitis with posttraumatic tendon dysfunction and peroneal tenosynovitis is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot and/or ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during active duty or National Guard service. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by the medical records which showed no complaints or treatment for foot or ankle issues until after his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as his back disability, all secondary to a service-connected bilateral ankle disorder.,There is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service. The VA examiners have opined that the current diagnoses are more likely due to age and obesity.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hip, and right ankle disabilities as the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for a right ankle disability, assessing the severity of bilateral hearing loss, and considering extraschedular evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, right foot disorder, and right ankle disorder. The Board also denied her claim for service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain due to a need for further development. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current ankle and/or knee disabilities are causally related to active service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 13, 2012 and 20 percent thereafter. His lumbar strain (low back disability) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A 10 percent rating has been granted for right knee instability since October 22, 2002. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for ulcerative colitis, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted in some cases, but denied on the merits. The decisions are mixed as to whether certain conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right tibia and fibula fracture is denied. A separate 10 percent rating for painful motion of the right ankle is granted, but only for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left knee, ankle, and foot disorders, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, and migraine headaches. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability and its flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that there was no evidence linking it to service or any incident therein.