Ankle decisions — 2011

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of service connection for intervertebral disc disease, lumbar spine; chondromalacia, left knee; chondromalacia, right knee; a left hip condition; a right hip condition; peroneal tendonitis, left ankle; posterior tibial tendonitis, left ankle; and, posterior tibial tendonitis, right ankle.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, including on a direct basis and as secondary to his service-connected bilateral heel spurs, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the diagnosed posterior tibial tendonitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper duty-to-assist notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder is not related to his military service and does not qualify for service connection under any applicable criteria.

The Veteran's combined rating of 80 percent due to service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as her disabilities are rated at least 40% and she meets the percentage requirements. The Board finds no persuasive evidence suggesting that her service-connected disabilities render her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of recent VA examination and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's active duty periods need to be verified, and her STRs from these periods should be obtained.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and scar have not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 21, 2011 or as of that date.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the Veteran's claims due to issues regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases remain pending.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle sprain are manifested by limited plantar flexion, resulting in a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further investigation regarding his service-connected PTSD and potential duplicate file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was incurred in, or caused by, his active service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of right ankle traumatic arthritis is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying details about his right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no final decision has been made on any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before a third VLJ who will participate in the panel decision on whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for disabilities of the bilateral knees and left ankle.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg and right ankle disabilities were denied as there is no current diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left ankle disability were denied. The initial evaluation was found to be appropriate at all relevant times.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the appellant's whereabouts being unknown. The case will be returned for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is not attributable to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.