Ankle decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his right ankle scar and limitation of motion were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development, including obtaining MRI reports and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities are at issue.

The appeal is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a hearing before a member of the Board sitting at the RO or via live videoconference.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to ensure the Veteran's claims are properly developed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination regarding his claimed left knee and ankle disorders.

The Veteran's claim of reopening the right ear hearing loss service connection was granted.,The claims for higher ratings for right ankle sprain and residuals of a left knee laceration were denied.,The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated and the Board has granted a 10% evaluation for scars, right lower extremity associated with residuals of the right ankle. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for a right ankle disability is being remanded due to confusion regarding which ankle was injured during military service. The issue will be reconsidered after clarification from the Veteran or her representative.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's October 2007 substantive appeal as timely filed, allowing her to proceed with her claims for higher initial ratings for various service-connected disabilities. The effective date of these awards is set at November 1, 2005.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's right ankle disability, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claims can be adjudicated, and these cases are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a right ankle injury is denied because the injury occurred while walking to and from classes as part of his vocational rehabilitation program, which was not an essential activity or function of the training.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to hypertension, but has remanded his claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability. The appeal is mixed as some issues are granted and others are not.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of nasal fracture, status-post septoplasty and turbinoplasty, to include maxillary sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after rescheduling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of the October 2010 audiometric examination and scheduling an examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left ankle disorder has been denied. The RO granted a 40 percent disability rating effective September 1, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.