Ankle decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his epidermophytosis of the feet, ankles, hands, and forearms is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions were denied by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and requesting releases from Drs. K.K. and C.A.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are due to injuries sustained during his period of active service. The cervical spine disorder is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The May 1967 rating decision denied the Veteran's claim for service connection due to a lack of current residuals from his right hip, leg, and ankle contusions. The claim was not reopened as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform sedentary work despite his arthritis and neuropathy.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left calcaneal spur, which he claims is related to an ankle injury during service. The Board has determined that a new medical examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his current left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and granted a noncompensable evaluation for postoperative left ankle fracture. The Veteran's hearing loss claim was not supported by competent medical evidence, while his ankle fracture is characterized by slight limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left leg and ankle injury with traumatic arthritis are manifested by limitation of range of motion, particularly marked plantar flexion. The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disorder and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and left ankle/leg conditions, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (not including PTSD), a left buttock disorder, and a left ankle disorder were denied. The Board found that credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD has not been demonstrated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding hypertension, hearing loss, jock itch, foot fungus, and left ankle disorder due to his withdrawal of these issues. The case is being remanded for further development on diabetes mellitus, sinus disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right ankle, effective from August 14, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, including shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, and ankles, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also noted that his back pain in service was acute and transitory, and did not establish a link to current arthritis.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a pulmonary disorder (other than asthma), arthritis of the left ankle, and hypopigmented macules. Service connection was denied for hemorrhoids, post-traumatic syndrome/headaches, and mechanical back syndrome.,Service connection was granted for a pulmonary disorder (other than asthma) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these disorders were incurred or aggravated by active duty or active duty for training.