Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 1, 2008. The rating is based on moderate limitation of motion and functional loss due to pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing ankle fracture likely existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine if a separate injury occurred during service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a right ankle disability during service and no continuity of symptoms post-service. The Veteran's current right ankle condition was diagnosed years after service, and the VA examiner concluded it is not related to his in-service sprain.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are found to have had an onset during service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left ankle injury, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and gastrointestinal disorder (chronic diarrhea) is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for stress reactions, right ankle, left knee, feet, hips, pubis symphysis and right superior calcaneus; a rating in excess of 10 percent for stress fracture, right anterolateral femoral condyle, with stress reaction of the knee; and a compensable rating for stress fracture, left talus.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of the left or right ankle, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right wrist strain and right ankle strain have been granted. The claim for PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorders has also been granted, but the Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating of 100 percent. The claim for lumbar strain remains denied. Other issues such as evaluations for other conditions like degenerative joint disease, tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome have all been granted.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, effective July 28, 2009. The Board finds that a higher rating for his service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is warranted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's residuals of a left ankle sprain is due to an injury sustained during her period of active service. However, there is no evidence showing a current back disorder or any relationship between her service-connected pelvic inflammatory disease and her degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip and ankle disabilities are not causally or etiologically related to service, nor were they caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities.,VA examinations did not find any evidence of a right hip or right ankle condition during active service. The examiner also noted that medical literature does not support the contention that the Veteran's hip and ankle disabilities are caused by or result from his right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed hip, pes planus, low back strain, neck disorder, or eye disorders. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for higher initial ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee subluxation, and sacroiliac dysfunction are denied as they do not meet the criteria for the assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and degenerative joint disease of both ankles, render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied all increased rating claims as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations without good cause, which is required in order to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle sprain, leg length discrepancy, bilateral hip strain, and bilateral knee strain with degenerative changes are at least as likely as not related to active military service. Therefore, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and medical evidence, as well as to schedule her for a VA examination. The goal is to determine if the Veteran has residuals of a right knee injury that may be related to her current hip, foot, and ankle conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, is proximately caused by his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, postoperative and with ankylosis, is rated at 30 percent since September 5, 2012. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined as the claim was received on June 25, 2009.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability, left ankle disability, chest pain, or bilateral hand disability.,Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.