Ankle decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the claims for reopening service connection for chronic sinus disorder and arthritis of the knees and ankles due to insufficient notice regarding what constitutes new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to flaws in the March 2008 examination report and issues regarding whether the Veteran's ankle pain is a symptom of his foot disability.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve the claim for service connection due to a right ankle disorder, as there is conflicting evidence regarding whether the condition existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve the claim for service connection due to a right ankle disorder, as there is conflicting evidence regarding whether the condition existed prior to service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability beyond what is already provided by the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle condition is related to his service-connected right ankle disability and grants entitlement to secondary service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a TDIU for the period prior to October 13, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pleurisy and right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found no current disability of pleurisy, but determined that the Veteran had a current disability of right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, ankle, and hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of recent submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, ankle, and hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of recent submitted evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, and spinal stenosis can be decided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, a right ankle disability, and chronic disabilities manifested by chest pain and shortness of breath.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability, sleep disability, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to active duty service.

The Veteran did not have a pending claim for accrued benefits at the time of his death, and therefore, the appellant's claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection due to further development of evidence being required. The right knee capsulitis remains rated at 10 percent, while the right ankle sprain is also rated at 10 percent. Service connection for a left ankle disability secondary to service-connected disabilities is found.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and laceration of the right ankle with limitation of motion are not service-connected, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for the ankle condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the ankles, right leg, knees, and hips are denied as there is no evidence of current chronic disabilities. The Veteran has been granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with associated radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.