Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his right ankle disorder and service-connected residuals of right leg wounds, including shortening of the right leg.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, right ankle disability, and an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for asthma prior to March 21, 2017. The Veteran's right ankle disability was found not to be aggravated by service due to its preexistence. Service connection for asthma is granted but with a limitation on the effective date.

The Veteran's claims for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for his low back disability have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a separate right ankle disability, and the current manifestations of the low back disability do not warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to allegations of worsening since the last VA examination in January 2014.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective November 30, 2009. The appeal regarding service connection for a back disability is pending.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since June 10, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked limitation of motion in either ankle.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle scar is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise on the question of whether the Veteran manifested a left ankle scar during the pendency of this appeal and that it is etiologically related to service.

The Board finds the Veteran's left ankle condition is etiologically related to her service-connected left knee instability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of left ear hearing loss or a left ankle disability, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to several issues, including a need for new VA opinions on left knee and ankle disorders, low back disorder, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran does not have a current left ankle condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current right shoulder condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right shoulder condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current bone condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current left hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current left hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current right knee condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right knee condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current left knee condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current left knee condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current right hip condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current left hip condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left ankle disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his period of ACDUTRA and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his right ankle disability. The AOJ must also consider whether extensions of convalescence ratings are warranted following surgical procedures during the evaluation period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further VA examination and opinions regarding his claimed bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disabilities. The issues on appeal are related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral flatfoot and right ankle arthritis has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, which render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The remaining issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran had degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and ankle arthritis.,The Veteran's shin splints were not service connected, as they are considered a manifestation of his service-connected disabilities of the knees, ankles, and feet.