Ankle decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VCAA notice and compliance issues.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his service, including multiple parachute jumps. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left leg disorder is related to his active military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed back, ankle, foot disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the current right foot and ankle disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development for the veteran's claims of service connection for Reiter's syndrome and a left ankle disability. The case is now remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability in December 1988. The veteran is requesting that new and material evidence be considered to reopen his claim.

The veteran's bilateral ankle disability is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service or any pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities were aggravated by his military service. As such, these conditions are now considered to be service-connected.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability with degenerative disc disease and a right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claim, including consideration of all evidence since May 2003.

The Board has determined that further development is required to properly evaluate the veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder.

The veteran's disability of the right ankle and foot is currently rated at 40 percent, which meets his needs for compensation. However, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on loss of use of the right foot.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by ankylosis and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 30 percent rating based on its current functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected osteomyelitis of the left leg does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it is inactive and there have been no active infections within the past five years. The residuals of a left ankle injury are also evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted a higher 30 percent rating for the veteran's left ankle disability, effective January 15, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and chronic right ankle strain, but denied service connection for skin rash of the forearms due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded your claims to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. You will have 30 days from the date of this decision to file an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) if you wish to do so.