Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disorder are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and he will be given the opportunity for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran was granted service connection for adjustment disorder with depression. Service connection for residuals of a third degree burn of the left ankle was denied.

The Veteran's request for a hearing was rescheduled due to his absence. The case is being remanded for another hearing.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's neuropathy of the right hand to service or a service-connected disability, and no competent evidence linking his left ankle injury to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee, right hip, and right ankle have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,For the left ankle, the Veteran has not met the schedular criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for residuals of a left ankle fracture with history of infection (osteomyelitis), to include posttraumatic arthritis, from June 25, 2002 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee, low back, and bilateral ankle disabilities are related to his active service, including multiple parachute jumps as a paratrooper.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral ankle disorder, DJD of the spine, bilateral hip DJD, and bilateral knee DJD are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed neck, right knee, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to individual unemployability is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the provision of updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection for anergy due to insufficient medical opinions and examination findings. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for his lumbar spine, left foot, bilateral ankle, left leg, and head injury residuals disabilities. The examiner concluded that these conditions were less likely related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain warranted a 10 percent disability rating, as it resulted in moderate limitation of motion. The Board determined this was not sufficient to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of his claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and arthritis of the right ankle as he withdrew these appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current disability related to an ingrown right great toenail is service-connected. The claims for a right ankle/leg disability and left varicocele are being remanded due to outstanding development needs.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent since April 29, 2010.

The Veteran seeks a temporary total rating based on convalescence for his service-connected left foot disability. He also contends that he should be granted service connection for a related left leg/ankle disability, which would allow him to receive the requested rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.