Ankle decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip degenerative joint disease, but denied service connection for bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for thoracolumbar strain and right ankle strain have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that either condition warrants an evaluation in excess of the current 20 percent and 10 percent ratings, respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected right calcaneal spur with degenerative joint disease of the right foot and right ankle is currently rated at a noncompensable (zero percent) level. The Board has determined that he is entitled to an initial compensable rating of 10 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and hypertension are currently under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The Veteran was previously denied in November 1986 due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating since September 18, 2010 due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and migraines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatologic disability of the feet and scalp is service-connected, but his cervical spine, bilateral hip/ pelvic, and bilateral ankle disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is not granted any benefits at this time.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination and completion of VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears is related to his service. The other issues on appeal are addressed below.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether the service-connected right knee disability has aggravated these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including scheduling an orthopedic VA examination to determine the current nature, onset and etiology of any right and left ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his relocation and failure to report to scheduled VA examinations. The case is now pending again with the AMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, right foot and ankle disorder, and bilateral ulnar neuropathy were denied. However, the Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10% for his service-connected left knee arthritis.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a right hip disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities. The decision also grants service connection for left hip greater trochanteric bursitis, left knee chondromalacia with patellar realignment, and left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected post traumatic arthritis, left ankle, has already been assigned the maximum schedular rating available from March 22, 2010 to May 1, 2010. On and after May 1, 2010, his disability is manifested by pain, instability, stiffness, weakness, grinding, catching, incoordination, decreased speed of joint motion, locking, effusion, warmth, redness, swelling, tenderness, and a normal to mild antalgic gait.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board). The case will be returned to the RO/AMC after the requested hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot disability and edema/itching of the arms and ankles (to include spider veins) have been denied. The available STRs are negative for any findings, complaints, treatments, or diagnoses related to these conditions.,There is no current clinical evidence of blistering of either foot or a skin condition affecting the arms.