Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and skin disability of the feet are found to be service-connected. The right ankle disability and ischemic heart disease claims were not addressed due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, and right hip disability are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his lumbosacral spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right ankle disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, right shoulder disability, OSA, and alcohol dependence as due to PTSD. Service connection was denied for pes planus, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and back disability (scoliosis).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction due to a need for new VA examination and additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ankle disorder have been rated appropriately, with the PTSD receiving a 50% rating and the left ankle disorder receiving a 10% rating. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and bilateral ankle myofascial syndrome are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting further medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed low back, right ankle, and depression disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of a service-connected condition upon which to base secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, to include bilateral ankles and elbows, does not meet the criteria for service connection. However, the Board has found that the Veteran's arthritis of the left and right shoulders was incurred during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a left eye disorder, bilateral ankle and hip disorders, sleep disorder, appendix disorder, right shoulder disorder, heart disorder, and finger disorder. The Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of low back, right leg radiculopathy, upper back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in his VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability did not have its onset during military service and is not otherwise related to such service. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the increased rating claim for chronic soft tissue strain of the right ankle. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle osteoarthritis is not etiologically related to his in-service left ankle injury while playing basketball, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea disability began during, or was otherwise caused by, his active duty service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus at least as likely as not caused his current back, right and left knee, and right and left ankle disabilities. As a result, these conditions are granted.