Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and left ankle disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service. The fall in 2009 is considered to be a non-service-related incident.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder and a bilateral ankle disorder, finding that he did not have current disabilities of these joints.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle and left ankle atrophy with traumatic arthritis have been denied by the Board. The maximum schedular evaluation available under applicable diagnostic codes has not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, and the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a varicocele, left ankle disorder, and bilateral hand disorders. The Board also denied increased ratings for his shoulder, ankle, and skin disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain based on the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes strain and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 20 percent rating as of May 23, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right leg and low back disorders are not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the VA examiner found no evidence of a current hip disorder present.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, left ankle disorder, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle and right shoulder disabilities. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from FCI Butner, USP Terre Haute, and USP Lewisburg, as well as any court documents related to a civil claim filed in 1986 or 1987. The claims will be reconsidered after these developments.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right ankle disability, shrapnel injury of the left leg, and bilateral glaucoma have been denied. The Board finds that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed shoulder, low back, ankle, and hip disabilities. The decision also addressed hypertension and respiratory/pulmonary conditions but did not grant any of these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's right ankle disability is now considered incurred in service, while her claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending due to the submission of new stressor allegations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a new examination to assess the extent of his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings or a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot and ankle disability, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to the claims for higher initial disability ratings for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left ear hearing loss, chronic pansinusitis, allergic rhinitis, traumatic brain injury, and post-concussive headaches.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's statements and those of fellow service members.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his tension headaches rated at 50 percent disabling and bilateral flat feet rated at 30 percent disabling, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.