Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed disability related to bilateral ankle strain, and his service-connected left forearm, chest, and upper abdomen scars do not warrant an initial compensable rating. The Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal on the issue of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to March 17, 2014, and greater than 60 percent thereafter, for arteriosclerotic heart disease and ischemic heart disease has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ankle condition was not incurred in service and there is no evidence to show any aggravation during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability other than fibromyalgia is denied.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination to determine the nature and etiology of her right knee disability, as well as evaluating her left knee chondromalacia patella, flat feet, and right ankle instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right ankle disability, and providing medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative prior to any decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher initial rating for his right ankle disability and residual scar, as well as the issue of service connection for sciatic nerve impingement affecting his right lower extremity (claimed secondary to his back disability), was granted by the Board.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right ankle disability have been denied. He is currently rated at 20 percent since January 30, 2010.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is not considered to be caused by VA care, and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination with an industrial/occupational specialist to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered following this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination report and failure to comply with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, claimed as residuals of a right ankle fracture, is now recharacterized as secondary to her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, and kidney disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right ankle or right knee disability during service, and the medical opinions do not support a finding that these disabilities are related to service-connected pes planus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, and memory loss. The claims for bilateral ankle arthralgias, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back condition, residuals of frostbite/chemical burn, and right foot/ankle condition.

The Veteran's heart disorder is service connected as secondary to his service-connected GERD.,The Veteran's right knee and left ankle disorders are service connected as secondary to his service-connected left foot and left knee disorders.

The Board has granted a grant of service connection for a right ankle disability on a secondary basis, increased the Veteran's migraine rating to 50 percent from April 20, 2009, and awarded TDIU based on his combined disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder, manifested by limitation of extension, stiffness, pain, and swelling, is not related to any disease, injury, or event in service. Therefore, service connection for a right ankle disorder cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle tendonitis and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is only 20%.