Ankle Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder, left ankle (other than sprain and os trigonum disabilities), and bilateral shin symptoms do not constitute a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness. The VA expert opinion concluded it was less likely than not that these symptoms represented a medicably unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations for his left foot and left ankle disabilities, and all outstanding treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for additional disabilities resulting from treatment at the Atlanta VA Medical Center and service connection for various conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding her knee disability, a copy of SSA records, and further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to assess his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist scarring is not compensable, but he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disorder did not manifest in service and is not a result of an injury sustained during a period of inactive duty training. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for his left and right ankle disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Veteran's residuals of a right ankle fracture are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as he has already been awarded SMC due to his service-connected brain tumor and other disabilities combined to a 60% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability and vertigo are not service-connected, with the right ankle finding denied due to lack of in-service treatment or clinical evidence supporting current diagnoses. The Veteran's vertigo is found to be productive of dizziness and occasional staggering throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, effective from the date service connection was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected bilateral foot disability, was denied. The Board found that there is no current right ankle disability and insufficient evidence linking any past or present right ankle condition to service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a skin disability and an abdominal disability, with the evidence being in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's left ankle condition does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's current skin disability (folliculitis and seborrheic dermatitis) based on continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of left wrist, hand, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims in November 2015. The right hand disability (diagnosed as degenerative joint disease) has been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral knee conditions (left and right), left ankle condition, and hypertension are all service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has ordered additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim, including obtaining employment information and a VA examination to assess his occupational impairment due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and reopening service connection have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim or was cumulative of previously submitted evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion, and a separate 20 percent evaluation is granted for manifestations other than limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for left ankle DJD and left knee DJD, as well as the claim for a TDIU rating were dismissed due to his death.