Ankle decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records, including those from the Loma Linda VA Medical Center and any other relevant VA facilities. The case will be adjudicated again after this information has been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disorder, including arthritis, is service-connected. The right ankle disorder, also including arthritis, is also service-connected as well. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for a left ankle disability. Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, as there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding its onset in service or being related to service. The denial of service connection for the left ankle disability is based on the lack of medical evidence linking any current condition to service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 26, 2010. Effective that date, the rating is increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, manifested by mild limitation of plantar flexion and normal dorsiflexion with pain, is rated at 10 percent since the effective date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating from October 1, 2006 to January 22, 2008 and from May 1, 2008 to September 21, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and are not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from OPM and USPS, scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of hypertension, and considering all submitted evidence.

The Board found that the interruption of vocational rehabilitation benefits was proper, but did not find that achievement of the Veteran's goal to obtain a Bachelors Degree in Marine Engineering and obtaining a license as a maritime engineer is reasonably feasible.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including papillomas of the vocal cord, low back disability, and injuries to his heels and ankles. The Board found no current disabilities related to these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the right foot is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 8, 2007. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date remains denied.

The Board found no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right ankle sprain claim was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to its adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities. The case is REMANDED for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He was previously granted service connection for left shoulder dislocations and denied service connection for hypertension, gout, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and left leg condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right ankle disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the current condition and service. The low back issue remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining additional medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.