Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that can be attributed to his military service, including undiagnosed illnesses or exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 5, 2012. From December 5, 2012 to February 17, 2014, the rating increased to 30 percent due to ankylosis in dorsiflexion between 0 degrees and 10 degrees. After a total left ankle replacement on February 17, 2014, the Veteran received a temporary 100 percent rating from February 17, 2014 to March 17, 2014, followed by a permanent 100 percent rating since March 18, 2015.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for chronic right ankle sprain was denied. However, the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for migraine headaches prior to November 29, 2014, and thereafter, was granted with an effective date of November 29, 2014.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including posttraumatic arthritis and avulsion fracture with arthrodesis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for tension headaches prior to September 27, 2012; and entitlement to service connection for non-specific dermatitis, claimed as a skin rash; hypertension; insomnia, claimed as sleep deprivation disorder; left ankle osteoarthritis; right ankle osteoarthritis; and erectile dysfunction. The appeal of the issue of an effective date prior than August 20, 2003 for the grant of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disability, finding that it is related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence presented since the December 2000 rating decision.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, effective February 11, 2009. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ankle disabilities, a bilateral foot disability, and mitral valve prolapse have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development, including consideration of a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board found no current left ankle disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability and low back disability are related to service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

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 Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, as these records may contain information relevant to his service-connected conditions and their current status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and service connection, finding that he did not have a current hearing loss disability of either ear. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated as 20 percent disabling prior to October 28, 2015 and 30 percent thereafter. The right ankle and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left leg disorder, left ankle disability, or chronic disability manifested by loss of balance, dizziness, and vertigo. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirement for a TDIU and are reasonably shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 16, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of right knee, right ankle, bilateral foot, skin and allergy disabilities is dismissed as these conditions have already been granted for teeth number 23 and 24 trauma residuals for dental treatment purposes only.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right foot disabilities, as well as migraine headaches secondary to service-connected conditions, are being remanded for additional development.