Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability required a temporary total convalescent rating from May 13, 2011 to August 31, 2011 due to severe postoperative residuals. The rating was extended through November 30, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Tietze's syndrome, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability as there is no evidence of these conditions during the period of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he has worked in various sedentary positions and is capable of engaging in less physically demanding work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his recent move and the need for a rescheduled Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for multiple disabilities are referred back to the AOJ.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for prostate cancer and a left ankle disability, effectively dismissing these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right or left ankle disabilities, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic right ankle strain, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of fibromyalgia, cervical spine, stomach, right hip, right knee, or right ankle disorders. The adjustment disorder is rated at 50% and no higher.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded for new VA examinations to properly assess the Veteran's current level of disability due to his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and panic disorder without agoraphobia, as well as his left ankle sprain. Additionally, all relevant VA treatment records from 1991 to present should be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is July 28, 1993.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, varicella residuals, and anemia. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for the right ankle disability and varicella are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for sciatica of the left and right legs, as well as a lumbar spine disorder and knee disorders are not supported by evidence. The Veteran's left shoulder fracture is service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information, including SSA records and vocational rehabilitation folder. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's combined effects of service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and his TDIU claim is granted. The reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent for fibromyalgia was improper, and restoration of the 40 percent rating is warranted. Evidence pertaining to a back disability received since the May 1997 decision is new and material, and the claim for service connection for a back disability is reopened.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the appellant's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, but has remanded them to further develop the evidence due to inadequate medical opinions in the prior VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities do not render him unemployable due to their severity alone, as other nonservice-connected conditions also contribute significantly to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disorder, hypertension, and aneurysm are not service-connected. The Board also noted that major depressive disorder is partially aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a left ankle disability related to service or his service-connected varicose vein condition.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury, finding that the Veteran's current left ankle disability had its onset in active service. The issues regarding the right knee disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right elbow pain are addressed in the REMAND portion.