Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral knee, and left ankle disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral ear disorder related to the Veteran's active duty service and denied his claim for service connection. The issues regarding entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after the requested development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by limitation of motion and degenerative joint disease, has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disorder and granted it. The remaining issues are addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral shin splints and sinusitis was granted. The claims for increased ratings for right ankle strain, migraines, major depressive disorder, low back strain, plantar fasciitis, and pes planus were also granted with specific rating assignments.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic left shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis, bilateral chronic infrapatellar bursitis with associated patellofemoral syndrome, and bilateral chronic ankle ligament strain with mild laxity. These conditions are deemed to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudication purposes and requires further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and providing notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected left knee disorder and other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe as to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining employment, physical or sedentary, which could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison when realizing his level of education, prior work experience and training.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered an organic disease of the nervous system. The left ankle disability was also granted service connection, with the theory being direct service connection based on evidence showing functional loss due to pain.

The Veteran developed recurrent ankle sprains during service, and VA examinations have consistently diagnosed this condition. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for recurrent bilateral ankle sprains.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for his left ankle disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to March 5, 2009, or in excess of 10 percent from March 5, 2009 to January 12, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for enhanced/higher SMC based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle sprain with tendonitis is at least as likely as not caused by military service and grants her claim for service connection.