Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) of the right and left ankles were not found to be service connected, as they did not manifest within one year of active service or are otherwise etiologically linked to any incident of active service. The Board also found that the current diagnosed conditions are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, including as due to an undiagnosed illness from his Persian Gulf War service, is being remanded for additional development. The case will be readjudicated after the requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, including difficulty maintaining effective work and social relationships. The VA assigned a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD as of June 21, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's right eye disability, atrial septal defect, left ankle disability, and deviated nasal septum did not meet the criteria for service connection or warrant increased ratings. The preponderance of evidence was against these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle/foot, right knee, and left knee disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's claimed disabilities began during service or are related to service in any other way.

The Board finds that the cause of the Veteran's death was of service origin and thus, service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 24, 2009 for a 10 percent rating for residuals of left ankle fracture. The decision found that it was not factually ascertainable that the disability met the criteria for a 10 percent rating within one year before the date of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned for his right elbow olecranon spurs (major), and denied all other claims.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, as well as his left shoulder disability are all found to be related to service.,For the ankle disabilities, the Veteran's right ankle gout is found to have preexisted service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding records and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities. The issues of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes status post right ankle fracture and degenerative changes of the left ankle remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition. The right ankle disability, however, is considered incurred in service.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for sleep apnea, but denied for other conditions. The Veteran's left shoulder strain was not found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5270, and his left tibia and fibula fracture is rated at 20 percent. No further increased ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities, as well as the associated TDIU claim and several reopened claims, were denied due to her failure without good cause to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand disability is related to his service-connected right elbow disability, and his left ankle disability is related to an injury in service. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and opinions to address the current severity of her service-connected disabilities and the nature and etiology of her migraine headaches. The issues on appeal will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 30% from December 4, 2000 and increased to 40% effective July 1, 2005. The Board finds the effective date should be set at July 1, 2005.