Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of chronic disabilities affecting the right hip, low back, middle finger, ankles, wrists, thumbs, or shoulder during service. The Veteran's current complaints are not supported by objective medical findings and he does not have a currently diagnosed disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders were not incurred or aggravated by military service, as there is no evidence of such in-service injury or disease. The diagnoses are considered to be related to post-service activities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disorder and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. The criteria for establishing entitlement to service connection have been met, including the presence of current disability, in-service injury or disease, and causal relationship between the present disability and the injury or disease incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examination opinions and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examination and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development and will be remanded to the AOJ.

For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's left ankle DJD is manifested by pain, instability, dorsiflexion to at least 10 degrees, plantar flexion to at least 40 degrees, and a torn anterior talofibular ligament. The criteria for a rating of 20 percent have been met.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected scarring of the right ankle, finding that his scars are painful and affect his ability to wear certain types of shoes. The current effective date is not specified.

The case is being remanded for further development to address the service connection claims for various ankle and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran's assertions of secondary service connection are deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle/leg disability and that any claimed right leg sciatica is unrelated to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants an initial 10 percent rating, reflecting moderate limited motion primarily productive of ankle tightness, lack of endurance and painful motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, knee, lumbar spine, ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection in any of these cases.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including scheduling an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and left shoulder disabilities, obtaining VA treatment records, providing VCAA notice regarding a claim for TDIU, and readjudicating the issues in light of all evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disability does not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU and does not preclude substantially gainful employment. Factors warranting a referral for TDIU on an extraschedular basis are not present.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with disc degeneration is rated at 20 percent, effective April 16, 2009. The right knee and ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and industrial background.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder are on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injuries. The talar break in the left foot was not addressed by this decision.