Ankle decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 17, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected left elbow disability is currently rated at 10 percent. Both disabilities are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a link between the claimed disabilities and his service-connected conditions, or any other presumptive basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of his service periods and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to his service, including his in-service duties as a jet mechanic.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle and foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for consideration of an extra-schedular evaluation due to his service-connected disabilities, as he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle and bilateral hip disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current bilateral ankle disorder related to service, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to appear at a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration after scheduling a new hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any chronic right ankle, foot, big toe, low back, hip, and leg disorders found to be present. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after the additional evidence is considered.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left ankle DJD, considering continuity of symptomatology from service. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The case will then be processed in accordance with established appellate procedure.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine status post laminectomy. The right ankle disorder (claimed as Achilles tendonitis) is not currently addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and releasing private medical records. The case will be reviewed after the development is completed.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disability and that any such disability is not related to service. The VA examination did not find any current bilateral ankle condition, and the private physician's opinions are based solely on the Veteran's statements which the Board has found not credible.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder, sinusitis, and left ankle sprain as these issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining claims of entitlement to initial disability evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of bunionectomy of the left foot, residuals of bunionectomy of the right foot, and impingement syndrome of the left shoulder (dominant) wrist are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability, which was previously denied in multiple rating decisions. The Veteran's statements, a buddy statement from a fellow service member, and VA treatment records have provided sufficient information to substantiate this claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple lower extremity disorders, including bilateral foot, ankle, knee, and hip conditions. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his in-service medical records and private treatment records. Additionally, VA examinations are required for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, bilateral shin disorders, left ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorders.