Ankle Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle disability, specifically her claim for service connection. The Veteran was injured during National Guard training in July 2004 and continues to experience symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle disorders, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to the ratings of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative lumbosacral disc disease with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, left ankle avulsion fracture, and scalp laceration scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as cervical spine disorder, have been denied. The Board found no current disability associated with the ankles or cervical spine, either by diagnosis or functional impairment. There are also no objective indications of chronic undiagnosed disability associated with these conditions that manifested during service or to a degree of 10 percent or more following service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and upper extremity radiculopathy claims due to the need for retrospective medical opinions. The remaining issues are remanded for readjudication.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected stress reactions of the feet and ankles. The effective dates for other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously-denied claims for gout of various joints, including right ankle, feet, toes, ankles, knees, hands, and left shoulder, is granted. The appeal includes remanded issues related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle strain, and left hip disorder due to potential errors in the examination reports. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed to determine if they are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's left ankle condition post-procedure and for further development regarding his employment status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, low back, left ankle, right wrist, and throat disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The cases are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle avascular necrosis and osteochondral necrosis of the medial talar dome with osteoarthritis is granted. The Board found that his in-service symptoms were related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for service-connected left ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee patella tendonitis with history of Osgood-Schlatter disease are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is granted a 10 percent rating, effective August 1, 2009. The bone spur of the right foot remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's right ankle/foot injury, genitourinary dysfunction, and facial numbness will need further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and left ankle conditions for further development. Specifically, a VA examiner is to review relevant articles and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service-connected PTSD or Gulf War environmental hazards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities have been remanded by the Board due to additional development needed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and needs further clarification on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left ankle disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle, bilateral hip, and low back degenerative arthritis. The conditions are considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.