Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to service for his back, left shoulder, and left knee conditions. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability was granted, effective March 11, 1992.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to clarify the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, right knee strain, thoracic lumbar strain, right ankle strain, and right shoulder strain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected foot disabilities and his right ankle and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle and foot disability was ultimately assigned a temporary total evaluation of 100 percent from January 5, 2010, through March 31, 2010, and an evaluation of 10 percent for the period of April 1, 2010, to November 29, 2010. The temporary total evaluation was extended to 100 percent since November 30, 2010, through December 31, 2010, and an evaluation of 20 percent since January 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, combined, result in such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hyperlipidemia, was dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, finding that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a low back disability, allergic rhinitis, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis. The remaining issues are either not addressed or remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found no indication that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with new examinations to assess her right ankle and shoulder disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the other issues.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted, and he is service-connected for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, hypertension, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, left heel disability, and left shoulder disability were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran does not have a current right or left ankle disability, and the Board finds that service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for his right ankle disability. These claims are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, upper back disability, mid-to-low-back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and PTSD. The Veteran's reports of inservice acoustic trauma are accepted as credible evidence of an in-service event. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the substantive appeal regarding bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The remaining claims have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied all increased rating claims as the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and foot neuropathy, other than his already service-connected tarsal tunnel syndrome, is not related to his service or any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.