Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and clarification of the Veteran's wishes regarding his appeal for service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have developed in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including cervical spine disability, right elbow and arm disability, left arm and shoulder disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and headaches, were not incurred or aggravated by service. Service connection was denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disorder did not result from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service, as his pre-existing condition was clearly and unmistakably present prior to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle/foot disability, manifested by pain and a calcaneal spur, is likely due to injuries sustained during his period of active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and reopening service connection for low back disability are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left ankle fracture residuals and right knee tendonitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, including residuals of an ankle sprain, is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal and accept the 20 percent rating for his right ankle injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as well as for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's left leg fracture with a healed tibia fracture does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of nonunion requiring a brace. The current 30% rating remains appropriate.,For the period prior to March 30, 2009, the Veteran's left ankle disability was rated as 10%. Since that date, it has been rated at 20%, reflecting marked limitation of motion and pain on use.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10% disabling. The current rating remains appropriate given his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to her bilateral shin splits and bilateral ankle disability, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent), and the Board finds that a compensable rating of at least 10 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and a VA examination to assess his employability.

The Veteran's current tension-type headaches are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities, including the medications required for those disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right ankle fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling another VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus of the left foot. However, there is no current diagnosis found in records to support a claim for a left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left ankle disability was granted, with a 10% rating effective March 15, 2010.