Ankle decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the etiology of any left ankle or foot disability and the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for complications resulting from a March 17, 1987 cardiac catheterization and surgical repair at a VA medical facility. The case has been remanded to obtain additional records and provide the Veteran with an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for such benefits at the time of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle disorder did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability. The RO denied this claim in February 1995, finding no chronic disorder related to service. New evidence submitted since then does not establish a current right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities are not related to his service. The VA physician provided an opinion stating it is less likely than not that these conditions were caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle, left ankle, left knee, left shoulder, left hip and neck (cervical spine) disorders were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle fracture with scar and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from November 16, 2010. The lower back condition remains at 20 percent since the date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 17, 2009 and May 7, 2009 do not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 due to lack of emergency treatment.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records and a new VA examination for the Veteran's claimed bilateral ankle and knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate prior examinations and the need for further medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension at the housebound rate is denied as he does not have a single permanent disability rated 100 percent disabling under the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, nor is he permanently housebound by reason of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a new examination of his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected calcaneal spur of the right ankle is currently rated at 10 percent, effective May 30, 2008. The disability is considered to be a direct result of his military service without any presumption or secondary connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral wrist disability, diagnosed as Keinbocks disease. The Veteran's current right hip and bilateral ankle disabilities are not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing by video conference. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are not addressed as the appeal is in process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The left ankle claim will be reconsidered, a VA examination is needed for his PTSD, and he must be afforded another opportunity to apply for TDIU.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture have been granted service connection and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent effective January 27, 2011.

The preponderance of the competent medical and other evidence of record is against a finding that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder was incurred in, aggravated by, or otherwise the result of his active service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a broken right ankle or any signs and symptoms thereof. The Appellant's statements regarding his injury in service are not credible, as he did not receive treatment for the right ankle during service and there are no post-service medical records indicating a current disability. Therefore, service connection for a broken right ankle cannot be established.