Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated as 30 percent disabling since August 6, 2013. The Board finds that the symptoms warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post arthroscopy with partial medial meniscectomy, is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The preponderance of evidence does not show that the Veteran had presumptive exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange, nor is there probative evidence of exposure to such. As for diabetes mellitus type II, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle tendonitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a urinary condition remains pending.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee disability and a left ankle disability. The Veteran contends that these disabilities were incurred during active service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any current or chronic conditions related to the issues on appeal. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of VA outpatient records.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left foot and/or ankle injury, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims were denied as his claims are not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed elbow, wrist, or ankle disability, to include fibromyalgia, that was caused by her service.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, right wrist sprain, left wrist injury residuals, and postoperative residuals of a fracture of the left ankle are all rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted increased ratings to 20 percent for his mechanical low back pain from July 31, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right and left ankle disabilities, finding no current clinical evidence of such disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and a disorder manifested by near-syncope and dizziness, finding that there is no reliable evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right ankle is manifested by ankylosis in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees and with abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity. This meets the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5270.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, and she has been granted a TDIU based on her service-connected orthopedic and neurological disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his service and obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences that could be related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left forearm and right ankle disorders were denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an ankle disability was denied in April 1999, and no new and material evidence has been received since then. The appeal is therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,The Veteran's right leg disability is also due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,For the period prior to November 2, 2012, a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder has been granted. For the period since November 2, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted.,For the period prior to November 5, 2012, a 10 percent rating for asthma has been granted. For the period since November 5, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 30 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on limitation of motion has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 20 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on unilateral loss of whole or part of ramus involving loss of temporomandibular articulation has been granted.,A 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the right knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right lower extremity neuropathy has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For the period prior to December 13, 2012, a 10 percent rating for GERD has been granted. For the period since December 13, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date for his service-connected chronic left ankle strain status post injury/laceration was denied. The Board found that the disability is currently rated at its highest possible level under applicable rating criteria.