Ankle Board decisions

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of a right ankle condition. The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative joint disease does not meet the criteria for service connection as it is not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in previous findings regarding ankylosis and missing x-rays.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability are all found to be related to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The appeal regarding the increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease and instability is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left knee medial meniscus tear was denied, with a current evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disorder, effective from May 2, 2014.

The Board found that the reductions from 10 percent to zero percent for left hand strain, right hand strain, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain were proper based on improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues are about service connection and an initial evaluation for his left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain. The Veteran did not have a bilateral ankle disability, and his low back disability was manifested by forward flexion greater than 60 degrees; combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; no muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour; and mild radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further consideration due to incomplete records and conflicting evidence regarding his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral flat feet was aggravated by active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a right ankle sprain and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability and thus, service connection cannot be granted. The claim is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for the claims related to osteoarthritis of the right ankle with tendinitis status post arthroscopy, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, osteoarthritis and bursitis of the right hip, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot, with plantar and Achilles bone spurs and degenerative changes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection. The right foot and ankle issues were remanded due to allegations of increased severity since the last examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing records and incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep disorder, insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and residuals of fractured nose are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, status post fusion L4-S1, is currently rated at 20 percent and her radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also rated at 20 percent each. The appeal for higher evaluations has been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right ankle, and right foot disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The evidence received since the last final decisions is considered new and material. Service connection is granted for tinea cruris.