Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at an initial noncompensable rating, but the Board has determined that a 10 percent rating is warranted based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral testicular cysts, a left leg disability (including left ankle pain), headaches, and rectal fissures have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities is pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed foot, ankle and knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. They may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of VA treatment records. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for PTSD, right ankle disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder, back disorder, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The initial disability ratings assigned are as follows: a non-compensable rating for IBS and a 10 percent rating for right ankle sprain with tendonitis and right talus cyst.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, dizziness (vertigo), lung condition, cold weather injury residuals, and arthritis of hands, knees, feet, ankles, and hips are not related to his active service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is not etiologically related to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The left ankle issue remains pending.

The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's left ankle sprain and right knee disorder are related to service. Therefore, both conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disabilities, including osteochondral injury, sinus tarsi syndrome, and degenerative joint disease (DJD), are related to his in-service fall during ACDUTRA. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's neck disability is related to a period of active duty for training and service connection is granted. The claims for left ankle and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of current right wrist, ankle or knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and outstanding records that need to be obtained. The Veteran's service connection claims for low back and right ankle disabilities will be reconsidered after these additional steps.

The Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct service connection for the right ankle disability, and it was not caused or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the character of his discharge. The Board of Correction of Naval Records upgraded his discharge from general court martial to under honorable conditions in February 2008, which allowed him to receive VA benefits. However, an earlier effective date was not granted as it would have been based on when he filed for correction of his military records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture are due to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain from July 16, 2001. The Veteran's claim was originally filed in 2001 and the award is effective as of that date.