Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left ankle disability, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiologies related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for dermatitis is granted as it began during a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and thus meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed ankle disabilities and allergies.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address whether the Veteran's low back and right ankle disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a stress fracture of the right second metatarsal. The claims for service connection will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board is reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of his lumbar spine with left L4 radiculopathy and remanding all other claims to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their merits. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disorder or back disorder that was incurred in service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is characterized by 'severe' residuals, warranting a 30 percent rating. The evidence does not show ankylosis or loss of use of the foot.

The Board found that the Veteran's vision problems, facial scar, and right ankle fracture residuals were not caused by VA medical care. The Board concluded that there was no additional disability or death resulting from VA treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle sprain and Achilles tendinitis, but the issues of residuals of a right ankle fracture with scarring and arthritis of the right ankle remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, left ankle chronic tendonitis, and a right ankle disability have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis is service-connected, but his left ankle disorder is not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed depression disorder is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence of a current right knee or left knee disorder.

The Veteran's tendon inflammation, right ankle, has not resulted in ankylosis or marked limitation of motion. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied because he is already employed in a suitable position and does not have an employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's current left ankle disability developed due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back disorders, finding that these conditions are secondary to his pre-existing flat feet. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and bilateral pes planus, but denied service connection for low back, neck, and shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's current foot condition is considered to have existed prior to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issues of bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, ovarian cyst, and heart murmur during a hearing before the Board. The remaining issue of service connection for a heart disability (to include pulmonary hypertension and hypertension) is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for left ankle disability and entitlement to TDIU remain pending.