Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, considered alone or in combination, render him unemployable. The case is REMANDED for a VA medical examination to determine if the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his knee and ankle disabilities as well as any lumbar spine disability. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and scars from shrapnel wounds to the left calf, ankle, and foot have been withdrawn. The appeal for competency to handle disbursement of funds has also been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, or diabetes mellitus, type II. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left fifth cranial nerve traumatic neuropathy, recurrent headaches, and right ankle fracture residuals. The Veteran was also not granted TDIU prior to March 6, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO/AMC granted a 40% rating for the right ankle disorder, but did not address other issues or conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder was not shown to be related to service and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU remains pending and is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling of a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The case will be readjudicated after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle/lower leg injury is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination(s) and medical records associated with such determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dematomycosis (fungal skin condition) is service-connected, and his degenerative joint disease of the feet, ankles, knees, and shoulders are not service-connected. The decision also notes that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was remanded but no substantive appeal was filed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA and are not caused by a pre-existing condition.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, finding it to be moderately severe. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle sprain result in marked limitation of motion, warranting an increased rating to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle/heel disorder and pes planus. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left hand injury. The Veteran does not have a current disability related to his military service, and there is no indication that any current left ankle disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between her current left ankle/foot disability and her military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability is related to her military service, and grants service connection for a myofascial strain of the low back. The preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for hip, ankle, or lump on buttocks disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination to assess his left ankle disability. The issues are whether he should receive a higher rating for his service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, and if so, whether this condition has rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease.