Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, including tarsal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to inadequate development and the need for an examination of both ankles.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle sprain, left ankle laxity, and bilateral patellofemoral syndrome are related to his military service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing at the RO. The issues include service connection claims and a rating claim.

The Board has not yet decided the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disorders. The dental disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's left foot disability, manifested by chronic pain and slight curl-down of all lesser toes without callosities or more than moderate pes cavus deformity, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable rating code.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine if any current bilateral knee, foot, or ankle disabilities are related to injuries in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability. The new evidence submitted includes statements and testimony from the Veteran alleging continuity of symptoms since his period of active service, which is considered material to reopening the claim. However, the Board finds that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disability was preexisting or aggravated by service. Service connection for blood clots and heart disability are also not established based on the available evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing sedentary employment.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, fatigue with insomnia, and left knee disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not related to any incident of service, including parachute jumping. The evidence does not support a finding of a chronic condition in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower extremity and right ankle arthritis are not related to his service, including any in-service complaints or findings. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was unrelated to his service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is causally related to his service, specifically a right ankle injury in August 1992. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right ankle disability, with the Board finding that the current level of impairment did not warrant such an increase.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, hepatitis C, and left ankle disability. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder, status post fracture of the right pelvis. The Veteran's current right hip disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle, lower back, right knee, left heel spur, and cervical spine disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right ankle disability and service connection for PTSD were both denied by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, pes planus, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, bilateral hip disabilities, and a low back disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation or pre-existing conditions in service.