Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's digestive system disability, including his liver tumor with IBS, is rated at 30 percent effective January 15, 2015. His hyperlipidemia and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further examinations of his service-connected right knee bursitis and right ankle tendonitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle osteoarthritis is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Board is remanding the claim for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right ankle disability was caused or accelerated by his December 2009 and March 2010 surgeries, as well as whether any internal fixation devices used were placed in such a way that they prevented compression of the fracture site.

The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations from December 1990 to May 1991 is considered qualifying. The Board finds that the Veteran's joint pain, which has been present for more than six consecutive months and meets criteria for a presumptive service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle sprain, left ear drainage, and residuals of root canal (tooth number 30) are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the appellant's service connection claims, including obtaining her complete military personnel records and any relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle strains do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to March 14, 2016 is rated at 70 percent and her right ankle injury is rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for asthma has been broadened to a claim for a breathing condition, to include asthma. The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for his left ankle disability and hammer toes.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his right knee disability, left ankle disability, and hammer toes. However, the evidence does not support granting higher evaluations.

The Board finds the evidence to be in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ankle disorder, variously diagnosed as arthritis of the left ankle, can be attributed to an injury or illness during military service. As such, the benefit of the doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran and service connection for a left ankle disability is granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive retinopathy was granted with an effective date of March 9, 2006, the date she was first diagnosed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities and service connection for a left elbow disability, finding that the evidence does not support higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities may render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left hand and fingers, left Achilles tendonitis with heel spur and degenerative joint disease (left ankle disability), and left shoulder DJD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current left ankle disability, and the right ring finger disability is not compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, but the Veteran's left knee meniscus tear and right ankle disorder remain pending issues.