Ankle decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left ankle and left foot disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with the liver disability not found to be service-connected. The right foot disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture are currently rated as noncompensable. The VA examinations have consistently shown no additional limitation in range of motion due to pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance or incoordination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. Service connection was also granted for left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran did not have service-connected right hand cellulitis or low back disability. A 10 percent rating was assigned for bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for a left ankle disorder was granted from October 4, 2005 through November 15, 2010. Since then, he has been granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent effective from November 16, 2010. The Veteran also received an initial compensable evaluation for his hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further examination and to provide the Veteran with another hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. There is no evidence of a chronic ankle or knee disability in the record.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's withdrawal of all issues on appeal and therefore dismisses the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including asthma and bronchiectasis, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, gastrointestinal issues, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes. The claims are related to service connection for these conditions based on exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a right ankle or bilateral hip disability and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, knee, ankle disabilities and tendonitis. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral ankle disability, and a lung disability. The Veteran was provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining clinical records. A VA examination is also required to determine if any current right knee, right ankle, right shoulder, or back disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression and multiple knee and back issues, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to develop and adjudicate his claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, neck pain, hypertension, multiple joint pain, diverticulitis, impotence, and arterial calcification in the left ankle region, secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right ankle is currently rated at 30 percent, and his left ankle disability is also rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are considered to be directly related to service without any presumption or secondary connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosed bilateral ankle disability and whether his symptoms are related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the results of this development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need to obtain updated VA treatment records. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether any diagnosed conditions at least as likely as not began in or are related to her active service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, effective June 20, 2007. The appeal regarding increased ratings and separate evaluations is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on new information.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right ankle disorder, which he claims was aggravated by his active military service from December 2004 to June 2006. The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required.