Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if his Parkinson's disease or other conditions are related to the March 2009 right ankle surgery.

The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of GERD and a possible gastrointestinal disability related to active service. The VA examiner opined that further testing should be done for other potential disabilities, including left leg and ankle issues.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is found to be related to an in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee strain, allergies, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied. The right ankle sprain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are each rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right leg and ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current left ankle and knee disabilities and his reported injuries during service. The examiner opined that these conditions are more likely due to many years of standing and walking.,There is no clear evidence of a pre-existing rickets condition, as the Veteran was presumed sound upon entry into service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability, while manifested by weakness and giving way, stiffness, swelling, and constant pain, did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent due to lack of ankylosis. The preponderance of evidence showed movement of the right ankle joint throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his right ankle disability, headaches, and heart condition.

The Veteran's left ankle DJD is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.

The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another due to his disabilities, including from his back disorder and left ankle fracture.

The Veteran's right ankle strain and low back condition (including lumbosacral disc disease and lumbar degenerative joint disease) were incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination of his left ankle disability. The current rating of 10 percent is not sufficient and further evidence may warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2010. His PTSD remains at a maximum evaluation of 30 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has worsened since her last VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine the current level of severity.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left ankle disability, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 21, 2013 was granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The hearing loss disability remains noncompensable.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service, manifested within one year of service, or caused by his service-connected bilateral foot and right ankle disabilities. The appeal will be remanded for these determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities are as likely as not incurred in military service, granting service connection for these conditions.