Ankle Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities were not shown to have had onset during service or within one year after active service. The current disabilities are unrelated to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right leg mid-shaft tibia/fibula fracture was denied. The disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture, to include on an extra-schedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. � 3.321.

The Board finds that the Veteran has left ankle arthritis, which was first manifested in service and is a chronic disease listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a). Therefore, service connection for left ankle arthritis is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and SMC based on aid and attendance, and the Board dismissed these issues. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disorders and heel spurs are not related to his active duty service, as there was no evidence of ongoing symptoms or treatment for over two decades after service. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's right ankle disorder had its onset during service or is otherwise causally related to service. The Veteran was diagnosed with a fracture of the right distal fibula (ankle) in August 1965 during parachute jump training and underwent surgery for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left leg disabilities were denied. The residuals of a fractured tibia and fibula with shortening of the left leg, peroneal nerve damage, and osteoarthritis of the left knee joint have not been productive of ankylosis or other disabling conditions warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's service treatment records show he had two ankle sprains during his active duty. However, the VA examinations and medical evidence do not indicate any current right ankle disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including orthopedic and neurologic manifestations, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as TBI. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, and the Board found no current disability or evidence of a TBI.

The Veteran's right fibula disability was increased to a 20 percent rating effective February 13, 2012. He also received separate evaluations for ankylosis of the ankle (40 percent), sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity (20 percent), femoral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (20 percent) and obdurator neuropathy of the right lower extremity (0 percent).

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst resulted in pain and limited motion, warranting a 10 percent rating. The ankle disability was rated at 10 percent for moderate limitation of motion. Both back and neck disabilities were also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, left ankle disability, and hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, tinnitus, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disability are on appeal.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's left Achilles tendon/ankle/heel disability, which may be related to her service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle inversions are currently rated at 20% and the appeal is granted. The issues of secondary service connection for hip pain, thoracolumbar spine disability, and sciatic nerve impairment are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, flash burn of right eye, left eye injury, fracture of the right hand, and bilateral ankle injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle strain, degenerative joint disease with meniscal tear of the right knee, right hip strain, and facet arthrosis at L5-S1 of the lumbar spine are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right foot plantar wart/callus.