Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examination in May 2011 was inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran has a fallen arch of the right foot, its etiology, and whether it is related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right ankle.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle arthritis and COPD was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right ankle injury during service, and his current right ankle arthritis was not etiologically related to service. For COPD, the Board noted the lack of contemporaneous medical records but concluded that it was less likely than not caused by or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been granted at 10 percent each. The rating has not changed since the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are rated at 20 percent each for marked limitation of motion, which is the highest possible schedular rating. No higher ratings are warranted as there is no ankylosis, malunion of the os calcis or astragalus, or astragalectomy.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected status-post strain of the right ankle with right fifth metatarsal fracture, finding that it more nearly approximated 'marked' limitation of motion under DC 5271.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the current level of disability does not warrant such an increase. The issues regarding service connection for right knee and right ankle disorders have also been denied, with the Board finding that these conditions are not secondary to his service-connected left ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ankle condition due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The effective date of the award of service connection for a left ankle disability is set at November 26, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and left ankle disorders as secondary to his right knee disability. The appeals regarding reopening of back and left knee disorder service connection claims were also denied.

The Veteran's right ankle laxity is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from August 31, 2009. His traumatic arthritis of the right ankle remains rated as 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a left ankle or neck disability and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis, finding that the Veteran's current skin disability had its onset during his active service. The issues of increased initial ratings for right knee strain and right ankle strain are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury. The right ankle disorder issue remains pending and must be remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review. The issues of service connection for headaches, ankle tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, knee disorders, and chronic bronchitis are pending.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection were not substantiated by the evidence of record. The Board found that there was no direct or secondary service connection for any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on January 2, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not meet the requirements for emergency treatment under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the nature and etiology of any current ankle disorder and left toe disorder, including whether they are related to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, considering all relevant factors including his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disability, and right ankle disability, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.