Ankle Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an appendectomy scar and denied service connection for a left foot/ankle condition.

The Veteran's right ankle, bilateral knee, and left foot disabilities have caused his clothing to wear out faster due to the use of supportive appliances. The Board has found that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran, granting an annual clothing allowance for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle fracture, left knee strain, and right knee strain disabilities have been rated as 10 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate given the evidence of record.,The Veteran's left hand nerve damage disability has not warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right and left ankle disability is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available rating for limitation of motion. The left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent due to marked limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disability was permanently aggravated by his active military service. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran does not have a right ankle disability and his left great toe hallux valgus had its onset during service. Service connection for the left great toe hallux valgus is granted, but there are no compensable ratings assigned for the scars on the left hand fingers and elbow.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not attributable to active duty and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was manifested by no worse than severe impairment, with marked pronation, pain on use and manipulation, swelling on use, and extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces. The condition resulted in significant functional impairments primarily due to pain, including limitations on standing, walking, and various physically demanding tasks. The Veteran's symptoms were not relieved by orthopedic shoes or appliances.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the right ankle is currently rated at 20 percent and a higher rating is denied.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims on appeal are decided, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities remain inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, as any current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle and low back strain disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to January 27, 2015 or after that date.

The Veteran's DJD of the right ankle has been rated at 10 percent since February 15, 2011. The Board found that for the entire initial rating period from February 15, 2011, the disability was manifested by symptoms such as painful motion and intermittent swelling.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear income and pension eligibility, as well as potential errors in previous calculations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic right and left ankle sprains are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, effective January 7, 2016. The initial ratings prior to that date remain unchanged.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral ankle condition, finding that new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection is granted for a low back disability and bilateral ankle condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS with rectal bleeding is secondary to his service-connected back disability and grants service connection for this condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA records, request a new examination for the Veteran's back disability, and determine if an extra-schedular rating or TDIU is warranted.