Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination of his left ankle disorder, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for mechanical low back syndrome with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine prior to June 27, 2011 and a rating greater than 40 percent from June 27, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, low back disability, and residuals of a right ankle fracture were denied. The VA determined that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, left hip, and low back disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence reflects that he does not have these conditions due to his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a DRO hearing and other administrative actions.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the Veteran's local RO in Houston, Texas. The Veteran will be notified of the date, time, and location of this hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disorder is not related to his service and denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot hallux limitus, status post Keller arthroplasty is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore service connection cannot be granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for the claimed conditions, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, left ankle osteoarthritis and ankylosis of bilateral hand, fingers, wrist, elbow, shoulder disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The issues of diabetes mellitus, increased rating for residuals of right tibia fracture, and reopening of peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities are also being addressed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, a disability claimed as degenerative bone disease of the knees, and a disability claimed as degenerative bone disease of the ankles. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, elbow, back, ankle, and hand disabilities are granted.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral knee and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, manifested by limited range of motion and intermittent pain, warrants a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The effective date remains unchanged at the current level.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic right ankle sprain has been rated at 10 percent since October 2004. The VA examiner found that the condition resulted in pain, tenderness, and decreased range of motion without additional limitation due to pain or fatigue following repetitive motion.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.