Ankle Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of ongoing symptoms or treatment following separation from service. The current conditions are more likely due to natural degeneration over time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot and ankle conditions are less likely than not caused by her in-service left ankle sprain, but may be related to aggravation of a pre-existing pes planus condition.

The Veteran's back disability is found to have had its clinical onset during active service and is related to in-service disease, event, or injury. The left ankle and shoulder disabilities are not currently established as having their clinical onset during active service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is related to his in-service injury and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a dental avulsion, secondary to left tibial fracture. The claims for increased evaluations of various disabilities have also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the majority of issues remanded for further examination and opinion. The primary focus is on sleep apnea and its relationship to other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and insufficient evidence to support a higher rating.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disorder, including considering his reported symptoms since military service.

The Veteran's current left ankle disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disability in service or for many years after discharge, and the VA examiner concluded that any current right ankle disability is less likely than not incurred in service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disorders were denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder disability was granted prior to January 13, 2012, but denied thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material. The claims for respiratory disorder (sarcoidosis), right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, fibromyalgia, and right ankle disorder were also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral ankle strain with shin splints and stress fractures residuals are likely due to injuries sustained during his period of active service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is manifested by swelling and pain, resulting in a moderate limitation of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right shoulder conditions are causally related to her service, granting her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected knee and ankle conditions, including myofascial pain syndrome with lateral laxity in both ankles, chronic tears of the lateral meniscus with patellofemoral joint syndrome in the right knee, limitation of extension in the right knee, and patellofemoral joint syndrome in the left knee. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disorder and osteopenic bone density disorder were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claim for an increased rating for IBS and GERD was denied by operation of law.

The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due solely to her service-connected disabilities prior to May 21, 2008.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90%, which meets the criteria for TDIU. However, he has not been shown to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.