Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and total right hip arthroplasty with residuals, is found to be service-connected. The Board also granted service connection for left hip, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as secondary to the right hip disability.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right ankle disorder, headache disorder, or psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection was denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or additional service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a dagger wound to the left side of the stomach, residuals of a shrapnel wound to the middle back, residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right buttock, or residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left ankle. The neck disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10% prior to May 1, 2013 and at 20% since. The left thigh meralgia paresthetica was rated at 10%. These ratings are maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current foot and ankle disabilities are at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, specifically a fall aboard his naval vessel. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle/foot disability and awarded an individual compensation rating of 10% for scars of the left cheek, right temple, and/or right eyebrow.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for a VA medical examination and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury, including arthritis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is not related to his military service and denies his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected prostatitis, left ankle disability, and cellulitis of the chin are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations of his psychiatric disorders, lumbar strain, right ring and little finger degenerative joint disease, left shoulder tendonitis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle strain, and left foot plantar fasciitis from February 1, 2010 to September 6, 2011 were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as 'other specified trauma and stressor related disorder,' has been rated at 50 percent since March 11, 2009. The disability is characterized by symptoms such as anger, irritability, depression, concentration problems, suicidal and homicidal ideation, impairment of relationships with others, resulting in deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and have denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle strain warrants a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right foot conditions are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found no evidence of a right ankle or right shoulder disability being incurred in service, present within one year of separation from active duty, or continuous since service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into the Veteran's claims of service connection for an ankle disorder and a sinus disorder.

The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for ED, a left wrist condition, a left ankle condition, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric condition (including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression) due to their interrelated nature. The claim of service connection for hypertension is also being remanded as it may be related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.