Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder have been reopened. However, the Board finds that these conditions were not incurred during his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current ankle or back disability and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim. The Veteran's left ankle disability is presumed to have been aggravated by service due to arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and unclear service connection status. The Board will seek additional evidence, including obtaining missing VA examination reports and seeking clarification on the Veteran's periods of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture and finds that the Veteran's current left hip, right knee, left knee, and back disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left foot and/or right ankle disabilities. The remaining issues have not been decided.

The Veteran's service connection claims for mitral valve prolapse, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and alopecia areata were granted. His claim for an initial compensable rating for residual scarring from a right ring finger cyst removal was also granted.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in reducing the Veteran's right ankle disability rating from 40% to 20%, based on the evidence at that time, including a VA examination conducted in July 1964.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of jurisdiction as the benefits sought have been granted by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim seeking an increased rating for his left ankle disability is being remanded due to the insufficient medical examination report and the need for new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot and ankle disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim for the right foot disability, and there is no current diagnosed right ankle disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his healed right ankle fracture with residuals of pain and locking, are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower fibular fracture residuals with left ankle traumatic arthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease is not related to his service, as there was no chronic disability present at separation and the examiner opined that the current condition is more likely due to age and occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected bilateral foot disability and other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is not service connected as it was not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter. The right foot drop (assumed right foot disability) is also not service connected as there is no evidence of such being present in service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been granted, with the left knee disability rated at 10 percent and both right ankle and sciatica disabilities also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is less likely than not incurred in or caused by his service, specifically a 1988 injury during basketball practice. The VA examiner provided an opinion supporting this determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct new examinations for his service-connected disabilities, and determine the etiology of any diabetes mellitus. The TDIU claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and erectile dysfunction have been granted initial compensable ratings, effective from the dates specified.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines, mood disorder, back condition, and right ankle condition meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating and she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of these conditions.