Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and effective dates for her service-connected right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral elbow degenerative joint disease is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for his now resolved ankle sprain was not addressed as it did not constitute an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as it was incurred in active service. The other claims are pending and will be addressed further.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected right ankle fracture. The claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities are at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected low back disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted based on marked limitation of motion. The left knee issue was not addressed as it does not involve service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and to schedule him for appropriate examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for extension of a temporary total rating beyond December 31, 2007 based on convalescence due to left knee surgery performed in October 26, 2007 and service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture involving the distal fibula as secondary to his service-connected bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted with initial noncompensable ratings from April 14, 2011 to May 21, 2014. Effective May 21, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for each knee.,The decision was based on the findings of painful motion in both knees during flare-ups and noncompensable flexion and extension.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with Achilles tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate marked limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling and does not warrant a higher rating. The claim for service connection of esophagitis secondary to his service-connected left ankle strain was addressed but not decided due to the need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle/foot and bilateral hip arthritis resulted in significant loss of use of his bilateral lower extremities, necessitating the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ankle and hip disabilities, as well as service connection for sinus disorder and allergies, were denied. The Board found that the current disability evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left ankle, right ankle, tailbone, or lumbar spine disability. The service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities is also denied as there is no evidence of such disabilities during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoidosis and found that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure. The remaining issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, including as due to service-connected left ankle arthritis. The claims for right ankle disability, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, skin disability of the back of the head and feet, gastrointestinal disability, to include gastritis, and residuals of a left buttock strain were denied on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition and bilateral ankle disorder are related to his service-connected pes planus, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings or establish service connection based on the evidence of record.