Ankle Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right and left ankle disabilities do not warrant initial compensable ratings as they are productive of at most mild limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted with an effective date of February 25, 2004. The combined disability rating at that time included multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle/foot disabilities, both claimed as secondary to service-connected disability, were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back spasms, right ankle disorder, and right heel disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions. Other claims of service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran withdrew the issues of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability, right ankle disability and left ankle disability prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability is granted, and his claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right ankle fracture is also granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disability was reopened, but the Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding that his current left ankle DJD is related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed lung disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The right and left ankle disabilities are also found to be unrelated to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and left ankle disabilities were not initially manifested during service or within one year after separation from service, are not related to active service, and are not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at the minimum levels, and no higher. The Board has determined that additional evaluations for his right ankle disability, excised calcified hematoma of the right hip, prostatitis with urethritis and benign hyperplasia with nocturia, residuals of upper extremity cold exposure with Raynaud's syndrome (both sides), are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination of his right knee and ankle disabilities. The case will be further adjudicated following completion of these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The highest rating of 40 percent for left ankle replacement is granted effective April 1, 2013.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, breast disability (fibroid cysts), and migraine headaches. Service connection is granted for the breast disability.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a Travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of duty periods and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a right ankle disability and whether it is related to service or his left ankle disability.