Ankle decisions — 2011

The Board found no current left ankle disability and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the extent and etiology of her right ankle disability and claimed arthritis of the back and legs.

The Board found that the appellant's current ankle disorder and pes planus are unrelated to a period of INACDUTRA in 1992, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for a left hip disability has been granted. The underlying claim on the merits, as well as the issue of service connection for a right hip disability, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.,Service connection for a bilateral ankle disability remains denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the final October 1987 rating decision is not new and material, and thus does not reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,The claim of new and material evidence to reopen a left knee disability has also been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, and knee conditions as well as a skin condition. The appeals were not granted due to lack of evidence or new material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability and granted it. The Veteran's left ankle injury residuals with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20%.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee and left ankle disabilities, as there is no current disability related to documented incidents during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is reasonably related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right and left ankle stress reactions have been rated at 20 percent since June 26, 2007. The lumbosacral strain with spina bifida occulta of S1 has also been granted service connection.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's residuals of a right ankle fracture, finding that his symptoms warrant this higher rating based on daily swelling and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability and right ankle sprain were denied as there are no valid audiometric or clinical findings to support a compensable evaluation for the hearing loss, and his right ankle sprain is currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability and granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left foot and left ankle. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered direct service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left ankle and knee disabilities were not aggravated by his military service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence is needed for a proper determination.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to deciding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disability. The case is REMANDED for a new VA opinion and any other development as may be indicated by any response received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left and right ankle disabilities, left and right leg disabilities, or hypertension. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.