Ankle Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with a Court order, specifically to obtain treatment records from Dr. Paszkowiak regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right ankle strain status post Haglund's resection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 7, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and cold injury residuals have been granted. The claim for chronic fatigue was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance based on use of right and left ankle braces (ASOs) for the year 2014 is denied as her non-rigid ASOs do not qualify under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which includes a left ankle sprain and ORIF, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's left ankle avulsion fracture residuals were characterized by moderate limitation of motion and mild to moderate functional loss prior to May 7, 2009. On and after May 7, 2009, the residuals were characterized by marked limitation of motion with moderate to severe functional loss but without ankylosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is attributable to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a back injury, left knee condition, and left ankle condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle arthritis is not related to his in-service injury and denied service connection for this condition. The stomach disorder claim was also denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current stomach issues and service. For the skin disorder, while the examiner noted a history of tinea (likely ringworm), they concluded that a nexus opinion was not necessary due to the absence of a current manifestation.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disability did not exist prior to service and was not aggravated by service-connected ulcerative pancolitis. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it. The issues of service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle disabilities, and migraine headaches are all addressed on remand.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, and his right hand cold injury with residual cold sensitivity and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including degenerative changes and functional loss of dorsiflexion limited to 5 degrees and plantar flexion limited to 5 degrees with pain throughout, is currently evaluated at the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The Board finds no basis for a higher initial rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's arthritis that led to his total knee arthroplasty, specifically whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot and ankle conditions.