Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right and left ankle disabilities are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, while the low back disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his period of active service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, chronic cervical spine disorder, and migraine headaches were all granted with specific disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a right knee meniscus tear was previously denied, and new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The left ankle disability is rated at 40 percent prior to November 18, 2011, and 60 percent as of that date. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted effective from March 24, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his fractured right ankle and right foot disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder was manifested by symptoms resulting in marked ankle disability due to pain, swelling, limited motion and malunion of the tibia and fibula. The Veteran experienced episodes of active infections in the right ankle characteristic of osteomyelitis prior to October 2, 2011.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to restoration of the 20 percent rating for his service-connected left knee disorder and the 30 percent rating for his service-connected left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete development and potential consideration of undiagnosed illness or multi-symptom illnesses.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 30 percent for fasciotomy, left foot with plantar fasciitis prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and chronic bilateral ankle strain were not incurred in or related to service. The Board found that the conditions are less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine traumatic arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of tingling in upper and lower extremities, bilateral knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and short-term memory loss as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness due to exposure to Gulf War hazards.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and opinions regarding specific diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, headaches, and gynecological disorder. The psychiatric disorder claim is reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and ankle disorders are not related to his active service, with no nexus found between any current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability as of January 22, 2015. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, ankle disorder, and low back disorder are all found to be related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for myositis of the right leg/knee, right ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are not substantiated as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is also not considered to aggravate these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals seeking ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee and right ankle disabilities have been dismissed due to his abandonment. The propriety of the reduction in the rating assigned for headaches is remanded, as are issues regarding TDIU.