Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left and right ankle osteoarthritis, and sinusitis, are found to be related to his military service. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for low back condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The TDIU claim was denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for low back condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The TDIU claim was denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraine headaches, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for left wrist ganglion cyst post-operative, right wrist ganglion cyst, and left ankle fracture. The remaining issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with chondromalacia (left knee disability), a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee chrondromalacia (right knee disability), and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle and hip disabilities were denied as they did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology was not established, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The Veteran should also be scheduled for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with TBI, traumatic arthritis, right ankle disability with scar, and other disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist synovitis associated with gout is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence of ankylosis.,The Veteran's right wrist synovitis associated with gout is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 16, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran’s range of motion during flare-ups more nearly approximated a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her calcaneal bursitis of the bilateral feet is remanded. The issue of service connection for an ankle disorder as secondary to her foot disorder is not properly before the Board due to a prior denial by the RO.

The Veteran's appeals on right knee, right ankle, and trouble sleeping disabilities were dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim of service connection for hypogonadism was granted, but the Board denied an increased rating beyond 10 percent. The issues of service connection for back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left ankle disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral ankle conditions is granted. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether preexisting disabilities existed prior to service and were aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle arthritis and depression, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's ankle disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to November 12, 2012 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. His right scalp scar has been rated as 30 percent disabling since February 27, 2013. The Veteran’s right temple scar is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Veteran's ankle disability and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's use of his back brace and right ankle brace for service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities is found to cause wear on clothing, warranting annual clothing allowances for 2014.

The Board dismissed the appeals for numbness in the arms, myofascial pain of the upper back, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For cervical spondylosis with degenerative joint disease, a rating of 30 percent is granted as of October 3, 2017. The other conditions received initial ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and denied service connection for a right ankle disability. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is found to be related to his active duty service, while the right ankle disability was not shown during service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ankle condition and residuals of a left ankle injury due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle sprain and tinnitus, finding no current diagnosis of either condition and insufficient evidence to establish their onset during service.