Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected. The PTSD is assigned a 50% disability rating, the left knee and right knee conditions are each rated at 10%, the shoulder strains are not service-connected, the wrist condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the spine strain is rated at 10%, the ankle strains do not warrant a higher rating, the hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10%, and the headaches are assigned a 30% disability rating. The Veteran's hypertension, DVT, restless leg syndrome, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease are each rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional evidence received since the last decision. The claims will be reviewed again by the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for left ear hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left wrist disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss or service connection for any of the other conditions.

The Veteran's cluster headaches have been granted a 10 percent initial evaluation, effective as of the date of the July 2013 rating decision. The back disability and right ankle surgery with strain issues are both granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle sprain and left hip disability have raised the issue of entitlement to TDIU, as his employment has been affected by these conditions. The Board is remanding this case for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle pain. The Veteran's current rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with ankle pain remains at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for any of the claimed conditions and thus denied her claims.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 6, 2006 for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of both ankles. The Veteran's initial claim to reopen was received on March 6, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle and knee disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service. The pre-existing fracture did not chronically increase in severity.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 19, 2009. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to June 27, 2012 and thereafter has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that there is no current right ankle disorder for which service connection can be granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disorders on direct and secondary bases due to inadequate prior opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records and private treatment records from Sacramento, California. The Veteran's right ankle and low back disabilities are also being examined to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, manifested by X-ray evidence of arthritis and no more than moderately limited range of motion with subjective complaints pain, weakness, and lack endurance without malunion of the os calcis or astragalus or ankylosis of the ankle, subastragalar or tarsal joint, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right ankle disorder secondary to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and an increased rating for his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Board finds that additional development is needed, including obtaining updated treatment records and affording the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature of his current conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records, personnel records, and VA/Non-VA medical records. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left hand fracture and left foot/ankle arthritis are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is not related to service or his in-service injury, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability and right ankle disability due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners. The Veteran's statements of having pain since service are not addressed in the current opinions.