Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for TBI, PTSD, right ankle DJD, and cholecystectomy with residual scar. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records, conduct examinations, and review the claims file.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and a left shoulder disorder, finding no evidence of such disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle, right wrist, and left great toe disorders are not related to service. The VA examiner opined that there is no direct link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the right ankle, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left knee, and tinnitus with vertigo as these conditions are at least in equipoise with a finding that they were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for chronic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis in the left foot, and plantar fasciitis in the right foot have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims during his hearing.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding whether emergency treatment was necessary, if other VA facilities were available, and if the Veteran could have been safely transferred from a non-VA facility.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since August 26, 2011 and prior to that date. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent evidence. The issues are whether he should receive higher initial ratings for his cervical spine and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's plantar spur in her left ankle does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only shows moderate limitation of motion, which is already reflected in the current 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinions regarding his left ankle disability and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and temporary total evaluations has been withdrawn. The claim of entitlement to service connection for right hip and knee disorders secondary to the service-connected right ankle disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his right ankle disability claim, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and NSC pension benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and right ankle disorders, finding that current disabilities are of service onset or attributable to military service. The remaining issues remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current diagnoses of right ankle, left ankle, right foot, or left foot disorders. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ingrown toenail disabilities, left ankle disability, and psychiatric disorders. The November 2007 rating decision denying service connection for an ingrown toenail, left toe disability is final. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and opiate dependence), tinnitus, hypertension, asthma, hypothyroidism, and headaches have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inextricably intertwined issues, including a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) regarding service connection for migratory polyarthritis or Reiter's syndrome.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities were not incurred in service, as there was no chronic symptoms related to these conditions during or after service. The current diagnoses are not linked to service.