Ankle Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim for residuals of a broken right ankle due to new evidence showing current disability, but is denying the reopening of the claim for residuals of a broken right hand and finger as there is no new or material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left ankle is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current level of disability.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions.,As such, the Board finds that service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic arthritis of the left elbow, right elbow, right shoulder and left foot/ankle was denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service. The Board found that the Veteran did not present a valid claim for this disability.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal in August 2014 for all issues listed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and determine the origins of his service-connected disabilities, including whether they are related to his military service.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, as there was no credible evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability is remanded for further development.

Service connection has been established for a left ankle disorder caused by a fall resulting from service-connected instability of the left knee.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was caused or aggravated by falls related to her service-connected left knee disability. Service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated as 70 percent disabling (combined), including a 50 percent rating for OSA, and preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and employment background. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing, and the case will be scheduled after November 1, 2014.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, even considering pain and functional impairment, has not been shown to warrant a higher evaluation. The preponderance of the evidence is against the grant of an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and an examination, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran had a pending claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability at the time of his death, and there was sufficient evidence in the claims file to support such a claim. As a result, burial benefits are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder because no new and material evidence had been received, as there was no current diagnosis of a disability.

The Veteran's claims for right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and relevant treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for swelling of the ankles, legs, and hands was denied. The Board found that his bilateral ankle arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge from active duty nor was it causally or etiologically related to service or to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for discoloration of the feet was also denied. The Board found that his metatarsal fracture of the left foot did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge from active duty nor was it causally or etiologically related to service or to a service-connected disability.