Ankle Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not due to or aggravated by her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability in either ear during his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle and knee disabilities are not shown to be related to his service, or to have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is less likely than not related to his service, concluding that it was more likely due to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left ankle, cervical spine, or lumbar spine disorders. The Board finds the evidence against a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under any applicable rating code. The evidence does not demonstrate moderate limitation of motion, and there are no other symptoms or findings that warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left iliac crest osteotomy, to include as secondary to the Veteran's back disability. The claim for a left ankle disability was denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by pain and slight limitation of motion. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle sprain.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as there is no competent and credible evidence linking these conditions to the Appellant's period of active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, effective from March 14, 2011. His right ankle disorder and lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis are the service-connected conditions that have led to this decision.

The Veteran's DJD of the left knee is currently rated at 30% from October 1, 2015. The claim for an extension of a temporary 100% rating for DJD of the right knee post total knee arthroplasty with patellar resurfacing beyond July 31, 2013 is moot.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's appeal is not yet decided on the merits of her service connection claims.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of current right and left ankle disorders being related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left leg disability, which includes a distal tibia spiral fracture and associated ankle strain, was denied as the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with its April 2011 remand instructions, including adjudicating the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims and resolving any appeal taken therefrom. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including upper cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and several psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to address these issues due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability was aggravated by his military service, leading to current arthritis. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.