Ankle decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his claimed bilateral ankle and foot disability, including gout.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion regarding the cause of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed in a sedentary position and generates an income above the poverty threshold.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records. He must be scheduled for another VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy, residuals of left ankle injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records related to his left ankle disability, specifically those from August 2012. The case will be adjudicated again for a higher rating before and after January 14, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if there is any relationship between the appellant's pre-existing clubfoot and an in-service ankle injury.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his disability as it does not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle arthritis and lower extremity compartment syndrome, effective prior to December 8, 2010. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request for a higher rating from that date onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right ankle, left ankle, and right knee conditions, did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding secondary service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities and a determination on whether clear and unmistakable error was committed in the December 2004 rating decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions. The right shoulder disability was also denied due to lack of in-service documentation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied, with the exception of his claim for schizophrenia which was granted.

The Veteran's claims for vision problems, basal cell carcinoma, left elbow disability, and digestive problems were denied as they are not service-connected. The Board found that the current conditions do not have a direct link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and has determined that the Veteran's right knee arthritis is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee limitation of extension, intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine based on incapacitating episodes, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to address service connection claims for bilateral foot and ankle conditions. The issues on appeal are related to whether these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, low back disability, and psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic conditions related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for degenerative joint disease status post right ankle surgery prior to June 6, 2011, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his claims for service connection of various knee, back, ankle, and hip disorders are reopened. The effective date remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested increases in disability ratings.