Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right patella and tibial plateau are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's RSD of the foot and ankle has been rated as 30 percent prior to April 18, 2005, but not more than that since then.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely than not related to his in-service injury. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee strain and left ankle sprain are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, chronic left shoulder strain with laxity, muscle and joint pain of the hands and/or ankles (manifested by undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness), chronic fatigue, and short term memory loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the relationship between the Veteran's current right foot and ankle disabilities and his active military service as a paratrooper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left ankle disability, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding of additional disability resulting from VA care.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeals, citing previous requests for withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Veteran's pes planus is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The right ankle sprain issue was granted service connection.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent effective from August 7, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his temporary total rating for right foot surgery has been extended through May 1, 2011. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the relationship between his low back disability, bilateral knee/hip/disabilities, and ankle disabilities with his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability to include hypertension was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted, thus denying the reopening of his claim. His right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent due to marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus type II, limited right hip flexion due to osteoarthritis and trochanteric bursitis, and right ankle injury with instability. The Board is dismissing these appeals.

The Veteran's bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees is found to be etiologically related to active service. The Board finds that new VA examinations are necessary to determine if his low back strain, cervical and neck strain, and bilateral ankle strains are etiologically related to active service or secondary to his now service-connected bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The claims will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and right ankle sprain have been denied. The current ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic, identifiable left ankle disorder in service or currently. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right ankle injury and amputation of the right foot and leg below the knee are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of left ankle, right ankle, or left knee disorders. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's occasional right lateral ankle swelling is considered a manifestation of his service-connected residuals of a right malleolar fracture and right ankle arthritis. The claim for service connection for right ankle edema is dismissed due to the absence of a controversy at issue.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.