Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is not in substantial compliance with the directives of the November 2012 and July 2013 Board remands. The case must be again remanded for an adequate VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left ankle disability was granted, effective November 20, 2008. Service connection for the right ankle disability was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The appellant withdrew his appeal, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder appeal has been withdrawn.,Service connection for a kidney disorder (chronic kidney stones) is denied as the condition is considered a congenital defect and not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and any other relevant evidence. The issue of his entitlement to an increased disability rating for left ankle, residuals of left medial malleolus fracture will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his right ankle and left knee disorders, including whether they are related to service.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of a current right ankle disability or left ankle osteoarthritis, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's memory loss is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, hypertension, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not attributable to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's memory loss is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness. Diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, hypertension, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not attributable to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding service connection for ADHD and learning disability, as well as the evaluation of her left index finger.,For the cervical spine disability, a rating higher than 20 percent is not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment from June 21, 2010 to June 25, 2010 were not authorized by VA and no VA facility refused to accept a transfer of the Veteran. South Georgia Medical Center documented reasonable attempts to transfer the Veteran to a VA facility.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's right ankle disability will be evaluated again, and it is unclear whether her chronic post tibial tendon dysfunction and surgeries are related to her service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right wrist, left leg (shin splints), right ankle, or right knee disability that was incurred during service. The Veteran's symptoms were not shown to be related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for further development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis meeting DSM-IV criteria. The Board found no current diagnosed disability and thus, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and requests for treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of current back, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The appellant's claims for service connection for headaches, neck disability, shoulder disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are also being reviewed.