Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left leg disability and determine if there are any flare-ups or limitations in motion. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2013. The Board finds that the disability picture more nearly approximates marked limitation of motion of the left ankle.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus no further action will be taken on her claims.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right thumb disability and found that his combined ratings did not meet the criteria for TDIU as of April 6, 2015. Prior to this date, he was not working due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of marked limitation of motion or other factors warranting a higher rating. The preponderance of the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case is now pending and will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at 20 percent since April 17, 2017. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of 20 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for pulmonary fibrosis and left ankle synovitis with degenerative joint disease was denied. The Veteran is service-connected for these conditions, but the appeals are based on their merits rather than any presumption or secondary connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, manifested by pain and limited motion, is currently rated at a minimum of 10 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found no current diagnosis related to the right ankle and denied service connection for a right ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle osteoarthritis is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for secondary service connection due to his right ankle condition was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any time period. The evidence does not show ankylosis of the ankle or nonunion with loose motion requiring a brace.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the aforementioned issues, and they are hereby dismissed.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease and whether it was caused by his service-connected Graves' disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right hip, left hip, right ankle, and left ankle are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hips, knees, ankles, feet or back. The arthritis of multiple joints is not service connected as it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to service. The bilateral hip disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and back disorder are also not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle, left hip, and right hip disabilities are due to his service-connected right ankle, knee, and/or low back disabilities. The claims for these conditions have been granted.