Ankle Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The earlier effective date issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ankle, foot, and Achilles tendon conditions are not related to his service. The evidence does not show any chronicity of these conditions during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on extraschedular criteria for the period from July 27, 2003 to October 10, 2004 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder and hypertension, were denied. Service connection was granted for residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested benefits.

The Veteran's claim for compensation for residuals of a left ankle fracture under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was granted, with no specific rating assigned and without an effective date provided.

The Board has determined that the application to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle condition is being denied. No rating and no effective date will be assigned.

The Board finds that the 10 percent rating for a left ankle disability adequately reflects the clinically established impairment experienced by the Veteran. The weight of the credible evidence demonstrates that the manifestations of the Veteran's left ankle disability have warranted no more than a 10 percent rating throughout the course of the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for left ankle fracture with fusion, as the additional evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.,The Veteran's injuries, including fractures and head injury with dementia, are due to his own willful misconduct in driving under the influence of alcohol. As such, these disabilities cannot be service-connected.,The Veteran's chest injury is not service-connected.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a lacerated chin, bilateral foot disability, edema/itching arms and ankles, hip injury, back injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ulcerative colitis. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional STRs and determine the Veteran's in-country service in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional STRs and determine whether the Veteran served in-country in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for edema/itching arms and ankles as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of hip injury, back injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and ulcerative colitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of hip injury and back injury. The appeal is remanded to obtain an appropriate VA examination to determine the likely onset and etiology of these disabilities.,The Veteran seeks service connection for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran seeks service connection for ulcerative colitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, claimed as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's reserve service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for scoliosis and a left ankle disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Veteran's temporary total disability rating for convalescence under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 was denied because the right ankle fracture surgery occurred before his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle injury in service did not result in a chronic disorder and arthritis was not demonstrated within one year of discharge. The examiner opined it is less likely than not that the single incident of stepping into a hole in 1966 caused the degenerative changes affecting the ankle.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to service for any of the claimed conditions, including bilateral hip disorder, right knee degenerative changes, left knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, or lumbar spine arthritis. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and he has service connection for gout of the right ankle and a gastric ulcer secondary to his gout.