Ankle Board decisions

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings for his knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various skin disorders and edema of the ankles, as well as infections of his feet, were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses related to these conditions and that there was insufficient evidence linking them to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a pre-existing bilateral pes planus condition that was aggravated by his active duty service, and thus he is entitled to service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition. However, the Veteran's current knee and ankle conditions are not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right ankle disorders are currently rated at 20 percent each, effective from September 2011. The highest schedular evaluations for these conditions have already been assigned.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent is warranted for each ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pes planus with degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral knee and ankle degenerative joint disease, meet the criteria for a TDIU as they result in his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his reactive arthritis conditions have been granted, with the highest rating of 30 percent assigned for reactive arthritis of the left foot. The other disabilities are rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the appellant's current left knee and left ankle disorders are not related to his service, specifically noting inconsistencies in the appellant's timeline of events. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the knees, ankles and right foot, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without regular aid of a walker and wheelchair for more than 200 feet. The claim is granted for specially adapted housing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an updated opinion regarding service connection. The issues of TDIU are also referred to the Director of Compensation & Pension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including seeking clarification from the Veteran's treating chiropractor regarding his low back disability and service connection for traumatic brain injury. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, knee and ankle injuries, a muscle disorder, diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an anxiety disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence on file, including a need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, DJD of the left ankle, chondromalacia patella of the left knee, chondromalacia patella of the right knee with degenerative changes, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not manifest during service and are not related to active service. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left elbow disability, and right ankle disability is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for low back disorder, left knee disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities), and left hip bursitis. The claim for increased ratings for left ankle sprain and left hip bursitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for left and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The Veteran's current left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, while his right ankle disability remains noncompensable.