Ankle decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disability or skin disability (pseudofolliculitis barbae) that was incurred in service. The claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability is reopened based on new evidence provided by the Veteran's VA orthopedic provider.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for educational assistance under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code is denied as his service was characterized as honorable conditions and the reason for discharge was misconduct, not a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee were granted service connection, with initial ratings of 10 percent each. The low back disorder was also granted service connection but with a different rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is characterized by marked limitation of motion, and the Board has determined that a 20 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for a left ankle sprain and right hip disability were denied as there was no formal or informal claim filed prior to September 27, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of left ankle injury, and residuals of left fifth finger injury were also denied as there was no competent medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines. The left and right ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, reflecting their respective conditions. The left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for loss of motion with a separate 20 percent rating for instability. The right knee disability is also rated at 20 percent for loss of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's skin ulcerations, left ankle disability, and arthritis of the right leg.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of liver disease was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The issues of right shoulder injury/arthritis and fractured right ankle are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis disability and to determine if he currently has a distinct right ankle disability. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are currently under review.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left ankle disorder that he contends is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The Board has determined additional development is needed before the issue can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as a Statement of the Case for his right ankle disorder claim. The claims will then be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, dysentery, right eye disability, bilateral foot and knee arthritis, bilateral ankle arthritis, rib disability, left eye disability, hearing loss, PTSD, and malaria have been reopened. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and recent medical records. The Veteran's appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and initial rating of his right ankle disability was granted, with a 10 percent rating effective June 14, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and to obtain relevant medical records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings assigned are appropriate.