Ankle decisions — 2013

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected left ankle, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to afford the Veteran full consideration of his claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's postoperative left ankle traumatic arthritis has been manifested by pain and marked limitation of motion throughout the appeal period, but it has not resulted in ankylosis. The Board finds that a higher initial disability rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional medical records and a more detailed analysis of the service connection claim.

The Board found the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability to be denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and insufficient medical opinion linking any past injury to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional evidence, including Social Security Administration and workers' compensation records.

The Veteran's claims were granted, and he was awarded service connection for various conditions. The initial ratings assigned are generally in line with the severity of his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of a left ankle fracture with posttraumatic arthritis, TDIU, and service connection for a left knee disability on direct basis. The Board found that there was no competent evidence showing marked interference with employment due to his left ankle disorder alone.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 7, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his service medical records and incomplete evidence. Additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA disability decision records, private treatment records, and VA examinations.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left ankle fracture residuals.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which is service-connected, has been rated at 10 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The Board finds that his current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are best characterized as moderate limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability has been manifested by pain with marked limitation of motion, but without ankylosis. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed bilateral knee and ankle disorders, specifically whether they are related to service. Additional development is needed including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the VCAA, including obtaining SSA and Workers' Compensation records, as well as private treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle and right foot disabilities, finding that extending the benefit of doubt to the Veteran supports these claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA medical evaluation to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability and joint condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of periods of active duty and inactive duty training, obtaining additional service treatment records, providing VCAA notice, requesting VA treatment records, and obtaining a supplemental medical opinion from the examiner who conducted the August 2010 VA examination.