Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, left ring finger fracture, status post left ankle distal fibula fracture, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus were denied. The Veteran is not shown to have a disability manifested by bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes. For the service-connected status post left ankle distal fibula fracture, an initial 10 percent rating was granted effective October 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle, shoulder, left knee, and back conditions are found to be related to service.,The Veteran's right knee condition is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, associated with right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity neuropathy, is not considered exceptional enough to warrant an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected foot and low back disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities have been found to meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating, which reflects marked limitation of motion in both ankles.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted a 10% rating effective March 14, 2005. The initial compensable rating for the period from April 16, 1998 to August 16, 2004 is not addressed as this appeal pertains only to the periods after that.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left and right ankle sprains have been denied as his conditions do not warrant higher evaluations based on the current evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, memory loss, and shortness of breath as they were not found to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 15, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of additional evidence and a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability remains on appeal, as does his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's left ankle strain has not been manifested by left ankle ankylosis at any time since March 14, 2014. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis of left ankle sprain, bursitis of the left hip, right elbow epicondylitis, subungal hematoma of the left thumb, or neck strain.,Service connection for these conditions was denied as the preponderance of the evidence is against their onset in service or association with service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis, right ankle disability, and bilateral hallux valgus due to lack of evidence showing these conditions had onset or were caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have led to his inability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective January 31, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim. The issues include service connection for left ankle disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's chronic right ankle sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or other factors. The disability is characterized by limited range of motion and occasional sharp pain with rotations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 24, 1998, for right ankle DJD in July 2006. The decision was based on the correct facts and application of law at that time.